Nixon and China + Bush and Iran?

Part of a series.

In July 1971, Henry Kissinger secretly journeyed to Beijing to confer with Premier Zhou Enlai, then in charge of Chinese foreign policy. This paved way for the landmark 1972 summit between President Nixon, Zhou, and Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Until then, the U.S. and China had been estranged from each for more than 20 years. Disrupted for years by internal turmoil and regional threats, Chinese leaders thought of relations with Washington as a possible chance for stability. The United States, troubled by the deepening military quagmire in nearby Vietnam, worsening relations with traditional allies and problems at home, was desperate for a political solution before the upcoming presidential election.


In July 2007, Condoleezza Rice secretly journeyed to Tehran to confer with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. This paved way for the landmark 2008 summit between President Bush, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Until then, the U.S. and Iran had been estranged from each for more than 20 years. Disrupted for years by internal turmoil and regional threats, Iranian leaders thought of relations with Washington as a possible chance for stability. The United States, troubled by the deepening military quagmire in nearby Iraq, worsening relations with traditional allies and problems at home, was desperate for a political solution before the upcoming presidential election.



We can always hope, right?

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