NAM

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major Power Blocs  (Capitalist and Communist) . As of 2012, the movement has 120 members and 17 observer countries.

The 120-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has unanimously endorsed Iran’s civilian nuclear energy program, saying Iran has not only the right to produce energy through nuclear fission, but has a right to enrich their own uranium to do so. This statement, part of the “ Tehran Declaration,” stands in sharp contrast to Western positions on the matter, which have regularly claimed Iran was violating international norms by enriching their own uranium for civilian purposes.

Notably even Egypt signed on to the declaration, despite a western insistance of  a "public row"at the summit during which President Mursi’s condemnation of Syria sparked a walkout. (apparantly it was not such a big issue as reflected in some western Press agencies) The declaration did not mention Syria. (Egypt understandably walks a thin line until its revolution can be considered established, and the occasional spat over issues should be considered a healthy political gesture ) The NAM endorsement is particularly important as its membership amounts of about 2/3 of the nations on the planet, a strong voting majority in the UN General Assembly. This would make it extremely difficult for the Obama Administration to push to punish Iran for its program through the general assembly.