Only a few years ago, Iran’s government seemed sufficiently in awe of the US to inch toward an agreement on its nuclear program that would have interrupted, and perhaps even halted, its enrichment activities. There was talk of possible bilateral contacts with the US, which, if successful, would have ended almost three decades of hostile relations.
再来看看伊朗，另一个利用美国的衰落获益的国家。仅仅几年前，伊朗政府还看似对美国十分敬畏，一步步走向会打断、甚至终止其核浓缩活动的协议。传言他们会和美国进行双边接触，如果成功，就能结束近三十年的敌对关系。如今，伊朗不顾联合国安理会实施新一轮制裁的警告，执意推行核浓缩计划，伊朗的官员还公开嘲笑美国的军事威胁。