A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Friday, March 20, 2009

Using Nowruz as an Opening

Both US President Obama and, separately, Israeli President Shimon Peres have sent Nowruz greetings to Iran in efforts to thaw the chill: Peres actually speaking in Persian apparently, Obama relying on subtitles. I doubt that it will have much effect (especially Peres), but it's an improvement over confrontrational threats, and at least a reminder that someone in the West noticed it was Nowruz.

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