Improving international relations and global image are America's most pressing external issues. Recent administrations' lack of both understanding of and standing in the world community combined with a seeming unwillingness to acquire either, have left America increasingly isolated and distrusted. In a world of rising powers and lesser' nations with populations no longer willing to kowtow to pressure and threats, this is a very dangerous path for all involved. The present situation in Iran, while desperate, is not unsalvageable and if successful U.S. foreign policy could have a blueprint for regaining the worlds respect and trust.
Iran's history spans more than five thousand years. Long before most western nations had discovered writing the Persians had produced the Cyrus Cylinder. This clay cylinder is recognized by some as the first written declaration of human rights and predates the U.S. constitution by over 2300 years. Politics, in the modern sense, have been a part of the story since the early 20th century. From the beginning however Iranian politics have been undermined and subjugated by foreigners and in recent times from within. Russia did its best to depose Iran's first Prime Minister and it was the CIA that overthrew it's final, freely elected, one. The following years of autocratic and despotic rule by the Shah followed by the Islamic Revolution, which in turn was a leading contributor to the Iran-Iraq war.
When Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in 1980 half of the forces that opposed him were made up of locally raised militias. These volunteers helped beat back what was to become, with liberal U.S. assistance, one of largest militaries in the world. Iranians remember all of this after decades of oppression and they fully understand what they are missing by being citizens of a pariah nation. Most Iranians don't believe the rhetoric but cannot deny that America seems belligerent towards them and are unwilling to allow their nation to be treated like a child, or worst yet a criminal.
Propaganda and media manipulation are major stumbling blocks in the path of America regaining it's standing in the world. They are, however, very near this path's beginning. The only way America's foreign policy will change is from within and to do that it's citizens must reclaim the media and force it's leaders to be accountable. A current tactic in political debate is to employ the concept of moving forward.' Quite often what this means is that a problem exists but there's no will by the politicians, or ability by a criminally complicit media, to address it. As can be seen with the gradual ennui that has overcome the American public concerning the causes of the war in Iraq, this tactic is if sufficiently ignored or tacitly approved of, is effective. The public attention has moved on and there is the realization that no one will ever be called to justice. Much of the world sees this as arrogance or ignorance, but it definitely looks bad. To an Iranian and many other citizens, of many other pawn' states, such an idea tantamount to denial.
Understanding this history and these realities and their effects on Iranian culture/society is integral to building any sort of dialogue with Iranian youth. While the regime in Iran possesses great power, the population of Iran is young, liberal and educated. As they age and become the new parents, leaders, and intellectuals it will become more difficult for the old guard to maintain its control. Reconciliation between the US and Iran will take years to achieve, unless of course these new leaders have been radicalized by the constant saber rattling and media assaults by the U.S. and its allies. Youth in America, by the thousands, enlisted to fight in "The War on Terror," a war that could some day have battlefields on the hills and in the valleys of ancient Persia and Iranians would sign on to fight "The Great Satan" with equal fervor. When dealing with a nation that has this level patriotism and resolve, military might and coercion are almost useless. Armed conflict solves nothing in all but the direst of situations and even then only until the orphans have grown up. Before things can even begin America has to remember they are dealing with a proud and strong people who, history considered, don't have any reason to trust them.