U.S.-Iran Engagement in Science, Engineering, and Health (2010-2016) A Resilient Program but an Uncertain Future (2017) / Chapter Skim
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5 Uncertain Future for Science-Engagement
5 Uncertain Future for Science-Engagement
Pages 87-100
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From page 87... ...
As discussed in Chapter 2, political concerns of the U.S. government had led to a temporary suspension of the National Academies' science-engagement program in 2009, following the election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for a second term.
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From page 88... ...
Meanwhile, with regard to implementation of Annex III of the JCPOA that identifies topics for civil nuclear science exchanges should the parties to the JCPOA or international organizations be interested, several European countries promptly launched a number of initiatives to collaborate with Iranian counterparts. The United States has waited for an appropriate time to take steps toward implementation of Annex III through involvement of American scientists in civil nuclear exchange activities.
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From page 89... ...
Therefore, the National Academies usually have taken the initial step in proposing an activity. The Iranian partners have then been able to cite the National Academies' success in obtaining political and financial support in the United States for a specific activity as leverage in arranging financing by their side.
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From page 90... ...
During a subsequent visit to Tehran, American scientists worked closely with Iranian counterparts in developing significant research opportunities. Two other National Academies-promoted university-based collaborations were in their formative stages in 2016, but due to difficulties in obtaining financial support the proposed collaborations had not led to sustainable relationships between U.S.
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From page 91... ...
Also some American exchange scientists had a general awareness of the nuclear controversy although during visits to Iran they were focusing on non-nuclear issues. At times in private discussions, Iranian and American scientists would air concerns about the nuclear standoff.
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From page 92... ...
However, in 2017 the European Atomic Energy Commission became involved in promoting nuclear safety in Iran.1 Meanwhile, the National Academies took note of the relevance of the National Academies' earlier experiences in Iran and other countries to some of the provisions of Annex III. Early in the National Academies' science-engagement activities, a senior Iranian researcher working at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran urged joint efforts to improve radiation therapy facilities in Tehran.
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From page 93... ...
Thus, it was not surprising that the department began informal consultations with the National Academies in 2016 concerning the feasibility of reorienting career paths for Iranian weapon scientists 30 years later, even though the National Academies had until that time assiduously avoided participating in such discussions with Iranians or proposing cooperative projects to U.S. officials involving nuclear-weapon expertise.4 Focal points of the informal discussions were the least sensitive approaches called for in the Annex that could be carried out quickly by nongovernmental institutions as a first step in U.S.
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From page 94... ...
and Iranian governments decide to move forward with implementation of Annex III. Given the uncertainty concerning implementation of Annex III, the National Academies have not begun the process of analysis and consultations about the priority that should be given to these or any other provisions of Annex III (see Appendix H)
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From page 95... ...
Aquifers are being drained. Air pollution has made living conditions in Iran's cities increasingly challenging.
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From page 96... ...
Finally, the National Academies participates in regional programs that involve Iranian scientists. Four examples of challenges of cross-border interest are as follows: 1. Water Conservation: As discussed in Chapter 3, the National Academies have carried out several workshops concerning steps that might lead to reducing the rate of evaporation of Lake Urmia near the Azerbaijan border, a topic that is of scientific interest to American researchers in California and Utah who focus on saline lakes.
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From page 97... ...
4. Spread of Diseases: The World Health Organization, and particularly its office in Cairo, has long been interested in reducing cross-border transmission of diseases in the Middle East; and Iran has been an important leader in the region in addressing human diseases of regional concern, including health problems associated with migrants carrying diseases across borders. Iran has for many years focused on the spread of hepatitis.
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From page 98... ...
The American visitors to Iran were hampered due to an absence of English-language books and reports that documented the many steps that Iran had taken in this field. Also, most of the best informed Iranian analysts were working in institutions that were largely closed to outsiders -- for example, the Planning and Management Office, the Budget Office, the Office of the Supreme Leader, the financial offices of the ministries, and high-level think tanks that operated behind closed doors.
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From page 99... ...
Also, it may become easier for researchers to assess the long-term as well as the near-term economic impacts in Iran of sanctions, since sanctions often encompass limitations on acquisition of technologies that in time affect economic productivity when new technologies come into play. HIGH VISIBILITY EVENTS IN IRAN The National Academies encouraged individual visits to Tehran by five American Nobel Laureates during the early 2000s.
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From page 100... ...
These programs develop skills for organizing, conducting, and replicating novel approaches to providing improved goods and services that find niches in the public or private marketplaces. Of special interest are approaches that enhance the quality, reduce the costs, and improve the commercial attractiveness of products and services.10 Shakeouts: The U.S.
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