As it stands now, I think the US needs to get on board with letting Iran go forward with uranium enrichment, monitor the hell out of them

You think we will be more succesful convincing Iran to let us “monitor the hell out of them?” Do you honestly belive them when they say their intentions are peaceful?

Since Rice has taken control of foreign policy we actually have been making various compromises with Iran. The latest one was that we agreed with the Russian proposal to allow Iran to enrich Uranium on Russian soil under supervision.

I think these plans have stalled. Look at this story…

U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns told reporters Wednesday in Moscow that the U.S. had called on countries to end all nuclear cooperation with Iran, including work on the Bushehr plant. He also said that countries should stop all arms exports to Iran – Russia is supplying Iran with sophisticated air defense missiles.

Burns said such action would send a message to Tehran that its behavior meant it would no longer be “business as usual.”

The United States, which believes Iran is intending to make nuclear weapons, has been pushing for tough measures because of Iran’s refusal to suspend its uranium enrichment program.

Simply put, if we’re channelling our diplomacy through other countries who have different feelings about Iran’s intentions, then that diplomacy is worthless. As it stands now, I think the US needs to get on board with letting Iran go forward with uranium enrichment, monitor the hell out of them and call their bluff if they prove to be liars. But right now we’re playing a game that we simply can’t win by suggesting on one hand we’ll let them have nuclear power, but on the other saying that a nuclear Iran can not happen.

Respect and like it or not power earns respect in real world analysis can do a lot. Resentment and a sense of inferiority that countries like Iran have can aggravate situations. Which is what we’ve chosen.

This doesn’t mean that negotiations will succeed, but pretending Iran will not play a role in the region increases odds of confrontation and escalation. It feeds the apparent madness of certain leaders and reinforces their position. Perhaps if we talked before this individual was elected then things would be better.

Which leaves the question: So why does Iran actually want these nukes?

Official diplomatic relations with the U.S. may not be apparent, but you know stuff is going on behind the scenes, plus the U.S. is involved in the European delegations.

You know, I would have believed this 3 years ago, but not now. I don’t think that Bush and company think they should HAVE to negotiate with these people. But couple that with the fact Iran is indeed calling our bluff, and we could be dealing with mere stubborn pride on both sides. Don’t know if this is the case, but I just don’t trust that things are going on behind the scenes on our end anymore. Not since we’re so quick to dismiss these things.

Official diplomatic relations with the U.S. may not be apparent, but you know stuff is going on behind the scenes, plus the U.S. is involved in the European delegations.

If one were to say, “shouldn’t we avoid military action until the last possible moment if negotiations fail?” I would respond, that is exactly what the Bush administration is thinking regarding Iran, as would any president.