To address the shortages from this embargo, the Iranian government has been working on developing nuclear power. They claim that this will help to tackle the nation's current and future energy needs. (Khan, 2010, pp. 77 -- 110) This has led to the UN imposing another embargo against the Islamic Republic for their continuing incompliance with international law. At the heart of the issue, are concerns that Iran is using their nuclear energy program as a cover for developing an atomic bomb. The fear is that the Iranians will pass on nuclear related materials to terrorist groups or they will use these weapons to attack the U.S. To prevent this from happening, America is leading an international effort to further isolate Iran. In response, Iran has been defiantly working on their program. This has caused the tensions to increase exponentially with Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz and directly attack the U.S. Or Israel (in the event of a military conflict). These factors are illustrating how the underlying hostilities between Iran and the West have risen dramatically. (Khan, 2010, pp. 77 -- 110) ("Iran to Hold Military Drills," 2012)

In the case of China, the U.S. is taking a different approach. Towards the end of the Cold War, is when the U.S. began to work closely with China. This is because the Chinese government was reforming the economy and opening up many areas that had been closed to outsiders. The way that this was achieved was through: supporting the liberalization of the economy and promoting democratic principles. Over the course of time, these reforms have helped China to improve its standard of living. ("China," 2012) ("United States," 2012)

In general, this policy has been both a success and failure. The way that it achieved the intended objectives, is to encourage economic development in China. During the last 20 years, this has created a major shift with China becoming the second largest economy in world and it is experiencing tremendous amounts of economic growth. ("China," 2012)

The problem is that China has been reluctant to embrace political reforms. This is because the military establishment and the Communist party members want to keep strict controls on personal freedoms. The results have been that the government has cracked down on: protests arrested / tortured political prisoners and imposed strict limitations on what content is acceptable for viewing. At the same, China has been rapidly modernizing and expanding the size of their military. These issues are leading to confrontations on the world stage. As the United States want to maintain a certain balance of power in the region and support of democratic ideals. The issue is that China is challenging these policies through their hostile tone and support of brutal regimes that are not friendly to the West (i.e. North Korea and Iran). This makes it difficult for the U.S. To deal with issues like: nuclear proliferation and terrorism. (Shirk, 2007, pp. 13 -- 35) (Shirk, 2007, pp. 79 -- 110)

These areas are showing, how the current diplomatic approach is bringing about select changes inside China. The biggest challenges are associated with how fast these transformations are occurring. This is creating periods where there will be increased amounts of tension between the U.S. And China...

While at other times, there will be a strong bond based on the close economic relationship. As a result, the current diplomatic approach is addressing the economic challenges facing China. It is also increasing the amounts of fear and skepticism surrounding its long-term objectives. (Shirk, 2007, pp. 13 -- 35) (Shirk, 2007, pp. 79 -- 110)
The relationships between these nations are illustrating how the U.S. is using rewards and punishments for certain actions. In situations where a country is overtly hostile towards America, there will be actions that are focused on changing this behavior. This will lead to a suspension of all economic and military aid. In the case of Iran, this occurred with U.S. imposing an embargo in 1979 and through increased sanctions against the Islamic Republic for its nuclear program on the international level. While those countries, that are working with American officials will receive an array of support. This is despite the lack of progress in other areas. These relationships are showing, how the U.S. will use completely different strategies when dealing with a host of countries. This will determine the kinds of assistance that they are able to receive. (Sutter, 2012, pp. 37 -- 59)

Over the last 20 years, the U.S. relationship with Iran and China has been continually evolving. This is based on U.S. taking an all-encompassing approach when dealing with these nations. This means that they will provide assistance to a wide variety of countries that are considered to be friendly or are willing to work with America in supporting international ideals. Those countries that fall into this category will receive tremendous amounts of economic and military assistance. This opens up their country's products to American consumers and it generates tremendous amounts of foreign direct investment capital. (Sutter, 2012, pp. 37 -- 59)

In the case of Iran, they are at the far end of the spectrum by wanting to destroy the U.S. And everything that it stands for. This has increased the amount of covert actions that are taken against the Islamic Republic. At the same time, this helps the U.S. To push its trading partners to isolate Iran (which is causing their economic situation to become even worse). This is showing how America's approach can be used as way to reward or punish a country for their activities. (Sutter, 2012, pp. 37 -- 59)

In the case of China, the fact that they were willing to work with the U.S. And implement many of the economic reforms led to improved relations between both countries. This is when China received favored trading status and was provided with tremendous amounts of foreign direct investment capital (which helped to increase economic development). These changes were occurring despite China's terrible human rights record and lack of political changes. This is showing how efforts to implement at least some of the reforms led to more support in the future from the U.S. (Sutter, 2012, pp. 37 -- 59)

These different approaches are illustrating how the U.S. is rewarding those countries that are in support of international standards with various forms of economic and military aid. While nations that are unwilling to do this, will face the possibility of isolation. This is designed to put pressure on