A Pipeline to Peace

After years of distrust and suspicion, India and Pakistan are discussing the possibility of a joint pipeline, which will bring badly needed gas to western India. Aside from the potential economic benefits to both countries, the project is environmentally safe and most importantly, will encourage the two countries to cooperate more. The problem, however, is that the oil pipeline would originate in Iran, a longstanding nemesis of the United States. Building such a pipeline would counter current US policy, which seeks to moderate the Iranian government's views by starving it economically. But as the writers argue, 26 years of American sanctions have failed, probably only succeeding to convince Iranians that nuclear weapons are the best way to protect their country. In this case, they conclude, the foreign policy solution is simple: The United States should stay out of the way of a pipeline project that would benefit all sides. – YaleGlobal