Language strategies in US-Iran nuclear threats and diplomatic conflict

Game Theory:

Iran relations is an example of game theory. One of the games played in their interaction, for instance, is the 'game of chicken' where neither player yields to the other. The United States, for instance, imposed multilateral sanctions on Iran, but Iran still continued its game of uranium enrichment. The ongoing game played between the two countries is one of mistrust and unwillingness to make concessions. Each has its own goals and options, and each uses different strategies to gain its particular ends. Iran, for instance, argues that it produces low level enriched uranium for nuclear fuel use, but the West claims Iran plans further enrichment suitable for making atomic bombs. Using Western-style reasoning, Iran contends that it has an "inalienable right" under Article IV of the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty to develop, research, and produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes Each country plays the game of trying to gain the upper position, of stalemating and not letting the other win. In the U.S.-Iran situation, each side tries to win by threatening the other (Source: Torbat, a. (March 26, 2007) U.S.-Iran "Game of Chicken": Iran Stays Firm despite UN Sanctions http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20070326&articleId=5184).)

Phonological features

Phonological features dealing with the ways that sound functions or conveying encoded meaning. Surrounded by security, the head of the Ku Klax Khan, Roy Larson prides himself on being the face of hate. Meeting with journalists of ebaumsworld.com at an undisclosed hotel in Indiana he discussed his opinions as to why membership in the KKK was on the rise and then, in the course of conversation, hinted that were presidential candidate Obama to be elected President, his life would be cut short: "I don't need to worry about it because someone else from the South will do the job.. If that man was elected candidate he will be shot sure as hell." Further on he said: "The hate will be so deep from down south, that someone will definitely do something" Here, inflection or accentuation on certain nuances or words were used in order to convey his intention. (Source: (Nov 11, 2008) ebaumsworld.com: The KKK Want Barack Obama Dead ( Proof ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORf_RyNH4gI)

Options theory

This is often evidenced in terror-like situation where, for instance, terrorists threaten that they will harm innocent civilians unless certain individuals are liberated. Such an instance occurred in 2010 when the Taliban kidnapped a British aid worker and three Afghan colleagues in Khunar Province in Afghanistan and gave the Americans the choice of their release on condition that a Pakistani woman -- who had been imprisoned by the Americans for 86 years -- be released.

The Pakistani woman was connected to al-Quidea and had been arrested for attacking American soldiers. (Source: Christian Science Monitor (n.d.) Taliban kidnap British aid worker, demand prisoner swap for Aafia Siddiqui,

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0927/Taliban-kidnap-British-aid-worker-demand-prisoner-swap-for-Aafia-Siddiqui)