Nuclear Diplomacy

What a crazy week of news stories. A Chinese baby with three arms, a languishing debate still ongoing about the "stolen" 2004 presidential election, the eternal battle between sticks and carrots for Iran, and how could anyone forget about the looming Haditha saga?

Alright, I threw in the Chinese baby for good measure but I think it's just what we need these days, an little pinch of mutant baby in a world where US policy both domestic and international is facing a rough road ahead.

Iran, arguably at the necessary forefront of our international focus, poses an intriguing dilemma. With forces stretched to capacity as it is and opposition from Russia and China on the Security Council front, a diplomatic answer is exactly what the administration needs at this point. The very nature of the Iranian government (with behind the scenes power resting in the hands of the unelected Supreme Leader and Guardian Council) leads to problems of diplomatic relations as it's a consistent question of where the shots are being called from.

Matters are further complicated through the regime of Ahmadinejad who is currently attempting to increase the powers of the presidency (with the apparent backing of Ayatollah Khamenei), and thus views the propaganda gains of nuclear enrichment as a viable means of power consolidation.

A solution may not present itself from the option of direct talks between the US and Iran as the latter may likely be simply vying for time and the former may likely be going through the motions to appease the international community before pre-emptive strikes. What, in my mind, cannot be argued is the notion of a nuclear capable Iran is diametrically opposed to stability within the Middle East.

- adam