Talk to Iran?
Surprisingly, Ralph Peters recommends that the US engage Iran in direct talks. I'm not sure if I agree with him, but he does make some good points:

We're missing a great opportunity (as we did with Castro, Hugo Chavez and others) to use open contact as a means to reach past vicious leaders to their people. If we appear rational and earnest, we encourage the Iranian opposition. But a public stance of pre-determined belligerence plays into the regime's hands.

As with Cuba, we've become prisoners of our own politics. Before we attack with military forces, we should bomb 'em with American culture, fanny-pack tourists and business deals.

For millions of Iranians, the pre-Khomeini days of warm relations with America have become a golden myth. There's tremendous latent goodwill toward us. Get those frequent-flyer shock troops in Brooks Brothers suits on the ground to make contact with the real resistance movement - the folks who want better lives for themselves and their kids.

Of course, whenever Ralph Peters agrees with Kofi Annan, something very strange is going on.

UPDATE: Christopher Hitchens weighs in on this issue in his usual, well-written, way.
- posted by Base10 @ 12:06 PM