A Pioneer in Modern Science Diplomacy Forges Hopeful Bonds with Iran

Profound political tension. Fiery rhetoric. Ominous signals that a longstanding bi-lateral conflict could degenerate into war—perhaps even nuclear war. Forty years ago, during the Cold War, Norman P. Neureiter navigated that climate in an effort to build better relations with the Soviet Union and China through science. Today, with the U.S. and Iran in the midst of a threatening diplomatic conflict, Neureiter believes that science cooperation may again contribute to improved relations.

With little fanfare, the director of the AAAS Center for Science, Technology, and Security Policy has visited Iran twice since 2004 for meetings and lectures and helped to host Iranian scientific delegations visiting the U.S., working in concert with the National Academies and other U.S. science interests—and colleagues in Iran—on an important mission of science diplomacy.

Last month's U.S. intelligence conclusion that Iran suspended its nuclear weapons program in 2003 is a "remarkable development," he said in a recent interview, "but there are still many issues of contention between the U.S. and Iran. What we are proposing is greater engagement at the people level despite the political problems."

In an interview with AAAS Senior Writer Edward W. Lempinen, Neureiter talked at length about the importance of science diplomacy in the relationship between Iran and the United States and the prospects for future S&T collaboration.

For more information, read the full Q&A with Norman P. Neureiter.