Journalists Teleconference with U.S. Expert William Quandt
Alawasat March 4, 2009: Reem Khalifa comments on the journalists discussion with U.S. expert William Quandt in a teleconference organized by the U.S. Embassy saying that Quandt affirmed that the new U.S. Administration has a new vision on its policies towards the Middle East. He expected change in American policy in the region particularly with regard to Iran. She adds: "he noted that Washington was serious about having a dialogue with Iran. Quandt also explained that a very experienced person was chosen for this mission...but Iran might think of Denise Ross as a person worse than Ariel Sharon because of his flagrant bias to Israel which will cause the suspicions and doubts between the two parties, Iran and America, to continue..." Reem asserts that "Obama's administration will face a very difficult test as its attempts to balance between diplomacy and protecting its national interests in a region that is very volatile like the Middle East."