American and British officials are leaning to the view that the West must create links with Iranians who oppose the Islamic cleric-led government of President Mohammad Ahmadinejad and are receptive to democracy.
"Obviously there is increasing interest both on Capitol Hill and in the administration in seeing what actually could be done to strengthen civil society in Iran," said a British diplomat.
Goodness knows, this is how I'd prefer to go forward. But is the silence from ourside because we are being quiet to avoid telegraphing our punch or the result of inaction or failure?
And can we afford the time it would take to inspire a revolution?
Although I'd settle for a military coup with democratic overtones, I must say. The Pakistan-plus solution. Get the nuts out and worry about democracy later. But with Iran I think we'd have a better shot at democracy in the short term than with Pakistan.
