On the Iran talks …

I just read the piece on Iran that Carolyn linked to in today's Morning Brief (hey, we're on deadline). It's by the WaPo's Karl Vick and Dafna Linzer and it's unequivocally today's must, must read. Here's a taste: U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said government experts have exerted mounting pressure on the Bush administration to reply to ...

I just read the piece on Iran that Carolyn linked to in today's Morning Brief (hey, we're on deadline). It's by the WaPo's Karl Vick and Dafna Linzer and it's unequivocally today's must, must read. Here's a taste:

I just read the piece on Iran that Carolyn linked to in today's Morning Brief (hey, we're on deadline). It's by the WaPo's Karl Vick and Dafna Linzer and it's unequivocally today's must, must read. Here's a taste:

U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said government experts have exerted mounting pressure on the Bush administration to reply to the letter, seconding public urgings from commentators and former officials."

U.S. intelligence analysts have assessed the letter as a major overture, an appraisal shared by analysts and foreign diplomats resident in Iran."

But:

Bush administration officials, however, have dismissed the proposed opening as a tactical move. The administration repeatedly has rejected talks…."

This reporting is a major breakthrough. Kudos to Vick and Linzer. I see that the NYT is (at least right now) leading with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's speech. Ouch. I just don't think the Bush administration to continue to stonewall on direct talks with Iran any longer. Hello, Condi, this is your legacy we're talking about. Let's get with the program. When historians sit down to distill the Bush administration, its failure to directly engage Iran may be judged even more harshly than its failures in Iraq. Olmert basically told Congress today that the time to attack Iran is now. Maybe before we blow them up, we could sit down for a chat or two. Ya think?

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