1. When and why did the U.S. break off diplomatic ties with Iran?

2. a) How did Iranian President Ahmadinejad's spokesman Ali Akbar Javanfekr respond to President Obama's video attempt to re-establish relations with Iran?
b) Considering their cultures, how do you think Iran and the Arab world would view the U.S. if the President complied with Iran's demands?

3. In his video message, what type of future did President Obama say the U.S. is seeking with Iran?

4. How is Iran acting against the U.S. in Iraq?

5. a) How is the White House billing President Obama's video message to Iran?
b) Watch President Obama's three minute video message to Iran at WhiteHouse.gov two times. What did you like/dislike about the President's message? Explain your answers.

6. The Iranian government and President Ahmadinejad have consistently called for death to fellow United Nations members Israel and the U.S. Watch some of the videos of President Ahmadinejad at at youtube.com/watch?v=FckLO8HcNyo.
The Iranian government denies that it is building nuclear weapons, but the rest of the world believes that they are--and that they will use them.  Do you think that President Obama's speech will have any effect on U.S. relations with Iran? Do you support his idea to appeal to the Iranian government in this way? Explain your answers.

7. What do you think about President Obama's understanding of the true nature of the Iranian government: is he naive and/or unwilling to face the truth, or is he a brilliant strategist? Explain your answer.