A New Rival to “Regime Change”

The US invasion of Iraq secured the illusion throughout the world that the US reacts to hostile nations with regime change. The US has many methods at its disposal for regime change, but the common thread was that the leader was a threat and had to be removed. Yet a new approach to US foreign policy regarding hostile nations is gaining momentum in Washington. This approach hinges on the idea that the US will accept the existence of a leader and in return the leader must agree to abandon nuclear armament. The ramifications of this policy, initiated with the US announcing plans to resume diplomatic relations with Libya’s Muammar Qaddafi, could be widespread. But more importantly, this policy could signal that the US is no longer mixing regime change with nuclear nonproliferation intentions. Experts cite North Korea as an example of how the old policy does not work for the US; North Korea continues to build its nuclear program despite talks in September. The administration has little choice but to pursue alternative polices, considering public discontent about the dragging war in Iraq and the lack of realistic options regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons program. –YaleGlobal

A New Rival to “Regime Change”

A US plan to stop nuclear programs – without toppling leaders – is under debate.
Howard LaFranchi
Tuesday, May 23, 2006

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