Quote

However, there’s a difference between the negotiations carried out with North Korea and Iran. In the case of North Korea, there is a guarantee that North Korea will not be attacked if they are doing away with their nuclear program. But there is no guarantee in the air to Iran against an attack from the outside, even under any circumstance. And on the contrary, rather, I think they feel rather threatened by the military buildup of the US in the Persian Gulf. --Hans Blix **

WTF???

So I've been reading newspapers since about 5:10 this morning... its now 6:36 and I just came across this in the Jeruselam Post: 'Bush intends to attack Iran before the end of his term'

I don't know anything about the Jerusalam Post. Is this just Bush PR going to Isreal? Is it legit--and if so why isn't in the Financial Times or New York Times??? My hunch is Bush PR but gee I never thought the American public would think invading Iraq was a good idea--so what do I know.

Bush blunder...

Krugman citing Juan Cole on recent Iraq news

The entire episode underlines how powerful Iran has become in Iraq. The Iranian government had called on Saturday for the fighting to stop. And by Sunday evening it had negotiated at least a similar call from Sadr (whether the fighting actually stops remains to be seen and depends on local commanders and on whether al-Maliki meets Sadr’s conditions).

Notes the very cold reality of our Foreign Policy blunder

So America is spending $12 billion a month to sustain what has, in practice, become an Iranian sphere of influence.