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There was, for many years, a split in the administration of George W.
Bush in regards to US policy towards Iran. On the one hand, there was
the hardliner neoconservative element, led by Dick Cheney, with Rumsfeld
in the Pentagon; who were long pushing for a military confrontation
with Iran. On the other hand, there was Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of
State, who was pushing for a more diplomatic, or “soft” approach to
Iran.

In February of 2006, Condoleezza Rice introduced a new Iran strategy
to the Senate, “emphasizing the tools of so-called soft diplomacy. She
called for ramping up funding to assist pro-democracy groups, public
diplomacy initiatives, and cultural and education fellowships, in
addition to expanding U.S.-funded radio, television, and Internet and
satellite-based broadcasting, which are increasingly popular among
younger Iranians.” She added that, “we are going to work to support the
aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom in their country.” There
were three main facets to the program: “Expanding independent radio and
television”; “Funding pro-democracy groups,” which “would lift bans on
U.S. financing of Iran-based nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), trade
unions, human rights groups, and opposition candidates”; and “Boosting
cultural and education fellowships and exchanges,” which “would help pay
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