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Penn State Journal of International Law focuses on U.S.-Iranian relationship

The latest issue of the "Penn State Journal of Law & International Affairs" (JLIA) analyzes the U.S.-Iranian relationship and how the strategic actions of these two nations will affect international order in the future.

The U.S.-Iranian relationship has perplexed and frustrated diplomats for much of the last century. "The dynamic between the two states has been characterized by saber rattling, allegations of oppressive and unfair sanctions, propaganda and covert action," said Executive Editor of JLIA and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Amy Gaudion. However, on Sept. 28, 2013, U.S. President Barack Obama placed a telephone call to the newly elected President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani. This was the first direct conversation between the leaders of the two countries since the Iranian revolution of 1979. Following this exchange, Iran and the U.S. and other countries have engaged in several rounds of talks culminating in a tentative agreement on Iran’s nuclear development program.

During the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for "an end to an unnecessary crisis and start for new horizons."

“The essays in this issue reflect that call and provide the insights needed to transform the U.S.-Iranian relationship from one of distrust and hyperbole to one of mutual respect and engaged exchange,” she said. 

The issue features contributions from Ambassador Richard Butler AC of Penn State's School of International Affairs, James Houck of Penn State's Dickinson School of Law and the School of International Affairs, Daniel Joyner of the University of Alabama School of Law, Hillary Mann Leverett of American University’s School of International Service, Flynt Leverett of Penn State's School of International Affairs, Mary Ellen O’Connell of the University of Notre Dame Law School, and other distinguished scholars.

JLIA’s mission is to provide a forum for engaged conversations between scholars and policy makers to examine the most complex and pressing international problems and trends. JLIA flows from symposiums and lectures throughout the year to the publication of the Journal in November. The next issue will examine the evolution and future of the role of international criminal justice in international relations, as well as the structural challenges facing the International Criminal Court in the coming decades. JLIA's 2014 symposium is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2014.

The full text and video of the symposium is available.  

Credit: Nick TaylorAll Rights Reserved.

Last Updated July 22, 2015