Abstract

ORTIZ ALMANZA, Jorge Alberto. Aspects of Change and Reversal in U.S. Policy toward Iran Under the Presidencies of Barack H. Obama and Donald J. Trump. Norteamérica [online]. 2021, vol.16, n.2, pp.251-282.  Epub Apr 04, 2022. ISSN 2448-7228.  https://doi.org/10.22201/cisan.24487228e.2021.2.487.

Based on theoretical studies of foreign policy changes, particularly with regard to approaches for decision-making and restructuring, this article argues that the Barack H. Obama’s strategic change in U.S. policy toward Iran was based on the notion of the failure of previous action and the threat of the Iranian nuclear program, even though it was limited by challenges along three axes throughout the process for achieving a solution for some issues on the agenda, especially the nuclear question. This situation explains Trump’s reversal of the advances: Trump worked in an inverse direction regarding some of Obama’s policies. The author’s theoretical contribution is the expansion of the analysis beyond the phase in which the change was decided, to clarify its limitations and possibilities for consolidation, based on outlining the interactions among promoting actors, the receiving subject, and those who resisted. This approach is useful since it takes into consideration the notion of promoting change and resistance, which is pertinent for illustrating the challenge that Joe R. Biden will face for his Iran policy.

Keywords : foreign policy; United States; Iran; nuclear agreement; Obama; Trump.

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