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The rapid-reaction force "will comprise large military he Pentagon—which has long been pushing for a units from five countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, military confrontation with Iran. On the other hand Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan"—and is seen as a here was Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State, who force to rival NATO.* was pushing for a more diplomatic or "soft" approach to In April 2009, Russia and China "announced plans for ran. an intensified programme of military cooperation...as In February 2006, Rice introduced a new Iran strategy part of a burgeoning ‘strategic partnership" and that o the Senate, "...emphasizing the tools of so-called soft "laJs many as 25 joint manoeuvres will be staged this diplomacy. She called for ramping up funding to assist year in a demonstration of strengthening ties between pro-democracy groups, public diplomacy initiatives, and Moscow and Beijing". Further, it was reported: "Russia cultural and education fellowships, in addition to and China staged their first joint war games in 2005 _—_ expanding US-funded radio, television, and Internet and after resolving outstanding border disputes between _ satellite-based broadcasting, which are increasingly hem. However, Moscow views Beijing as a lucrative popular among younger Iranians." She added that "we market for defence exports and has sold billions of | are going to work to support the aspirations of the dollars of weaponry to China since the collapse of the ranian people for freedom in their country". There were Soviet Union ended their Communist rivalry.” Important hree main facets to the program: "Expanding © note is that "[bJoth states have a keen interest in independent radio and television"; "Funding pro- eeping the United States and Europe out of Central democracy groups", which "would lift bans on US Asia as competition intensifies financing of ran-based or access to the region's nongovernmental organizations enormous. Oi and gas (NGOs), trade unions, human reserves.” rights groups, and opposition In June 2009, "China and For many years, candidates"; and "Boosting Russia signed a series of new there was a split in the cultural and education agreements to broaden their . : . fellowships and exchanges", collaborations in trade, administration of President which "would help pay Iranian investment and_ mining, p students and scholars to enroll including the framework on [a] George W. Bush regarding in US universities".” $700 million loan between US policy towards Iran. This marked a significant {the] Export-Import Bank of change in US foreign policy with China and [the] Russian Bank Iran, which would have the {for] Foreign Trade". Of great effect of making Iran's domestic importance is tha situation "more intense"—or, as "{mJemorandums on bilateral gas and coal cooperation —_ one expert put it, "this is the thing that can undo this are likely to lead the two countries’ energy links to cover _—_ regime". all the main sectors, from coal, oil, electricity, gas to Another expert stated that if the strategy failed, "we nuclear power". The leaders of both nations said that will have wasted the money, but worse than that, helped they "hoped the two countries will also increase their discredit legitimate opposition groups as traitors who joint projects in science and technology, agriculture, | receive money from the enemy to undermine Iran's telecommunications and border trade".” In April 2009, national interest".” China and Russia signed a major oil pipeline deal to In March 2006, the Iraq Study Group was assembled supply China with Russian oil.” as a group of high-level diplomats and strategic elites to In July 2009, China and Russia underwent a week-long re-examine US policy towards Iraq and, more broadly, war-game exercise of land and air forces "designed to ran as well. It proposed a softer stance towards Iran, counter a hypothetical threat from Islamist extremists and one of its members, Robert Gates, former CIA or ethnic separatists that both countries insist look director, left the group in November 2006 to replace increasingly realistic’. In particular, "both are driven by Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense. Cheney had fought a growing sense of urgency stemming from what they © keep his ally in the Pentagon, but failed not only in see as a deteriorating security picture in Afghanistan hat but also in preventing Gates from being his and neighboring Pakistan".” replacement.” In February 2006, the Guardian reported that the Bush The Push for Regime Change in Iran administration had requested "a seven-fold increase in For many years, there was a split in the administration unding to mount the biggest ever propaganda of President George W. Bush regarding US policy campaign against the Tehran government", and quoted towards Iran. On the one hand there was the hardliner Secretary Rice as saying, "we will work to support the neoconservative element—led by Vice-President Dick aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom and Cheney, with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in — democracy in their country". the Pentagon—which has long been pushing for a military confrontation with Iran. On the other hand there was Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State, who was pushing for a more diplomatic or "soft" approach to Iran. enormous reserves”. ” For many years, there was a split in the administration of President George W. Bush regarding US policy towards Iran. The Push for Regime Change in Iran For many years, there was a split in the administration of President George W. Bush regarding US policy towards Iran. On the one hand there was the hardliner neoconservative element—led by Vice-President Dick Cheney, with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in 28 * NEXUS FEBRUARY - MARCH 2010 www.nexusmagazine.com