Jalita Moore The U.S and France are now BFFs

Last week, French President Hollande made a high profile visit to the U.S. to publicly display his new alliance with President Obama. During this conference, Hollande and Obama let bye-gones be bye-gones, and lay U.S.-French tensions over the Iraq war to rest. There is a new issue at play; the war in Syria and Iran's nuclear presence are two issues for these Presidents. After this conference, Obama will follow up in June to visit Hollande in his country.

Both the U.S. and France will work together to cooperate with Iran on their nuclear weapons program. Hollande says "There is an Iranian problem, for we need to make sure that Iran renounces the nuclear weapon in a definite and comprehensive manner," he said. Obama is standing firm on his position saying "If they meet what technically gives us those assurances, then there is a deal to be made. If they don't, there isn't". They are also working to bring a conclusion to the war in Syria.

From a PD perspective, this new allegiance between the U.S. and France signals credibility and legitimacy to Iran and the International Atomic Energy arena. By hosting state dinners, inviting the press, and supporting each other with re-assuring and congruent statements, they are displaying an alliance that can not be annulled. They are putting their cards on the table by displaying that they have each others back.However, this can backfire. 

While they are successful in appearing credible, their approach may not be as diplomatic. Two against one is never really fair. Iran, a smaller country in comparison to the two western powers, the U.S. and France, may not cooperate, but retaliate instead to show that they won't back down to perceived bullying from the west.

I believe that Hollande and Obama should be sure to display diplomacy, not authority. The U.S is offering a cut back in sanctions to incentivize Iran's cooperation. However, I doubt that is compelling enough to convince Iran to reduce their nuclear weapons program. Can negotiations really be peaceful? On February 18th, Iran talks will proceed in Vienna. "Iranian and International Atomic Energy Agency officials jointly said Sunday that Iran has agreed to take additional steps by May to ease international concern over Tehran's nuclear program."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/11/politics/obama-france/index.html?iref=allsearch