This doesn't necessarily mean that the Bush Administration will not play the dhimmi for Iran, but it's a good sign nevertheless -- except for the nonsense about democratization, which any schoolchild ought to be able to see is just bringing more mujahedin to power. "Bush adviser dismisses call for talks with Iran," from the Financial Times, with thanks to JE:
One of the US government’s top advisers has rebuffed European calls for Washington to negotiate directly with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme.In an interview with the Financial Times, Philip Zelikow, counsellor at the US State Department, also said the Bush administration’s commitment to the democratisation of the Middle East was undimmed, despite the recent victory of Hamas, the militant Islamist group, in Palestinian legislative elections.
“The US position has been that at this time we don’t see value in having direct talks with the Iranians about, say, the nuclear issue,” he said, rejecting calls for such negotiations from Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German foreign minister, and other senior European diplomats.
There's one reason, and one reason only, that the Europeans ask for the U.S. to continue talks: so that later they can point the finger at Bush and claim he hasn't done everything he could to solve this peacefully, and any military action is unjustified and in violation of 'international law'.
It's hypocrisy with a capital H.
Democratization of Iran is still something that could go either way. If what I have seen on Ali Sina's site is any indication, Iranians could en masse throw off Islam given the opportunity. What takes the place of Islam is however an open question - it's not a slam dunk for Zoroastrianism.
Only thing I worry about is an US authority in Iraq protecting Islam, and supporting a government that wants to uphold Shariah laws. Given what we've seen from the Bushies, I wouldn't put it past them.
Democratization of Iran is still something that could go either way. If what I have seen on Ali Sina's site is any indication, Iranians could en masse throw off Islam given the opportunity. What takes the place of Islam is however an open question - it's not a slam dunk for Zoroastrianism.
Only thing I worry about is an US authority in Iran protecting Islam, and supporting a government that wants to uphold Shariah laws. Given what we've seen from the Bushies, I wouldn't put it past them.
(Apologies for the double posting. Note to self: Always hit preview. Anyone at J/W, please delete/ignore my last post.)
We should talk to them. Here is a sample exchange; "Uh, Mr. Adminjihad, you've got about 45 seconds to hide your ass in a bomb shelter until your country is obliterated". Any questions?