What we need in these tense times is some old fashioned Grand Diplomacy and Realpolitik. The US should begin bilateral discussions with Iran (and Syria) using carrots as well as sticks. We should broker a regional peace conference that addresses both the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the disputes between Israel, Lebanon and Syria. With the "cover" that would be provided by some tangible progress on the Arab-Israeli front, Israel and moderate Arab states might be brought together in a regional containment strategy aimed at Iran, their de facto common adversary. This in turn would bolster Security Council pressure on Iran to conform to international norms.
You know, when it comes down to it, those who advocate carrots and sticks never seem to know what a stick is and focus almost entirely on the carrots.
What exactly are we supposed to discuss with two thug states joined in a sick alliance aimed at killing American troops and slaughtering Iraqi civilians?
Less talking with enemies. More old fashioned killing of enemies.
