Despite manifestation of self-confidence by the Obama administration there is clearly a high degree of hidden uncertainty beneath the surface.

 

March 29, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Today the G-8 is holding a meeting the focus of which is to push for more sanctions against Iran.

 

Some sources within the Obama administration say there is a growing consensus amongst all the members to pressure up on Iran in the form of additional economic sanctions. In the US, the presidential advisor David Axelrod said the international community is united against Iran and another top ranking advisor Valerie Jarret said most countries support a strong coalition that would force Iran to back down.

 

However, despite manifestation of self-confidence by the Obama administration there is clearly a high degree of hidden uncertainty beneath the surface. Currently both Russia and China are against overplaying the sanction card on Iran. The two signaled their unwillingness to impose an all-out embargo against Tehran like the one imposed on Germany prior to the Second World War or on Iraq before the Persian Gulf War.

 

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday reiterated that sanctions were not ‘optimal’ and that punitive measures were ‘not a good idea’ against Iran. Moreover, with a major trade-war looming over the horizon between China and the United States, it is unlikely that either one of those countries would be willing to enter a situation where there could be unknown consequences.

 

The US, at least for media’s sake, keeps charging nuclear allegations against Iran. Washington claims the Middle Eastern country is trying to build nuclear weapons. Iran denies the charge saying the domestic nuclear program is designed for peaceful purposes.