Iran. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

[beachmom]

Whether as SoS or Chairman of the SFRC, I would LOVE to hear John Kerry's thoughts on Iran's sudden change in position about talks:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/12/AR2008111203075.html

Facing Obama, Iran Suddenly Hedges on Talks

TEHRAN, Nov. 12 -- Since 2006, Iran's leaders have called for direct, unconditional talks with the United States to resolve international concerns over their nuclear program. But as an American administration open to such negotiations prepares to take power, Iran's political and military leaders are sounding suddenly wary of President-elect Barack Obama.

"People who put on a mask of friendship, but with the objective of betrayal, and who enter from the angle of negotiations without preconditions, are more dangerous," Hossein Taeb, deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Wednesday, according to the semiofficial Mehr News Agency.

"The power holders in the new American government are trying to regain their lost influence with a tactical change in their foreign diplomacy. They are shifting from a hard conflict to a soft attack," Taeb said.

For Iran's leaders, the only state of affairs worse than poor relations with the United States may be improved relations. The Shiite Muslim clerics who rule the country came to power after ousting Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, a U.S.-backed autocrat, in their 1979 Islamic revolution. Opposition to the United States, long vilified as the "great Satan" here in Friday sermons, remains one of the main pillars of Iranian politics.

...

In recent interviews, advisers to Ahmadinejad said the new U.S. administration would have to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq, show respect for Iran's system of rule by a supreme religious leader, and withdraw its objections to Iran's nuclear program before it can enter into negotiations with the Iranian government.

"The U.S. must prove that their policies have changed and are now based upon respecting the rights of the Iranian nation and mutual respect," said Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi, the president's closest adviser.

Ahmadinejad's media adviser, Mehdi Kalhor, said that "in fair circumstances" Iran would be open to talks. "But that is not when you have a bayonet pressed at your artery," he added, referring to the U.S. forces deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf.

George W. Bush's policies were a diplomatic coup for Iran. Now, Iran realizes the fun is over. Watch their position to continue to weaken while Iran becomes increasingly isolated, before they cry uncle. Or not. Who knows with the Mullahs.

[Luftmensch067]

1. It's funny -- I keep having this mental image

Of a bunch of bratty teenagers (and I don't just mean foreign leaders, also everyone in our government and in the corporate/financial world who's been getting away with murder) suddenly saying to themselves -- oh, #$@%@$@##$ -- the grownups are home!

[Muttocracy]

2. that's a great description - plus the neighbors are relieved :)

[Luftmensch067]

3. LOL! Quite true!

:-)