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Finally, I cannot disassociate the question of the "Iranian Problem" from those who want to 'solve it', which makes this wchurchill-inspired exercise a bit nonsensical to me. That is: it is a very big and vague what-if to imagine if Europe would be at the ball and not the USA (does that mean the USA disappears from Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and the Gulf?), and that doesn't just change the 'solution' but the 'problem' itself, too.

I'm not suggesting you should: it is possible that the real problem is that the US wants to exercise control over Iranian resources rather than anything the Iranians are doing.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 07:58:51 AM EST
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So, where is wchurchill?

A society committed to the notion that government is always bad will have bad government. And it doesn't have to be that way. — Paul Krugman
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 08:17:04 AM EST
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Elsewhere, I assume. I'm sure he'll be along.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 08:18:10 AM EST
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And what do you think? Or are you just going to be umpiring the gnomem00t?

A society committed to the notion that government is always bad will have bad government. And it doesn't have to be that way. — Paul Krugman
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 08:19:48 AM EST
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No, I'm going to throw in lots more. I'm actually sort of busy today, and on my way out for a while. I'll do some this evening and over the weekend.
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 08:22:32 AM EST
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Fast asleep. If he drinks Napa wine after midnight, strange and terrible things happen ;)
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 08:44:28 AM EST
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now, now afew.  Play nice.
by wchurchill on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 01:46:14 PM EST
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I know, I know, I'm a tattle-tale.
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 02:10:11 PM EST
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But isn't it a good thing if the US does not try to lead everything?  We Americans have done a pretty good job of proving that all great strategic thinking, and diplomatic efforts, don't reside fully in America.  <snark>  I tend to look on the bright side a lot,,,,,but I haven't given up on the North Korean negotiations, that include regional partners who seemingly would have more at stake than the US.  Nor on Iran, where though the process sometimes seems very slow, seems to be building a consensus, at least in the sense of getting to the UN.  Nor on Palestine, where Hamas is now in control, voted in by their fellow countrymen,,,,,so what will happen now that they have that responsibility.  Admitedly a lot to play out in all three of these, but isn't this the way to go, with in many cases countries that seem far calmer and more patient than the somewhat gunslinging style of America.  

The challenge though is that progress must be seen to happen, however slowly.  My sense of the American electorate is that Iran, in particular, if it were to go through a similar process of the 16, or whatever the number, feckless Iraqi UN resolutions (over say a 5 year period from today), that would bring out a "51% gunslinger attitude" in America.  IMHO, America will learn a lot in Iraq, and has.  But I don't think one of the lessons will be to leave a seemingly raving lunatic alone, if he is perceived as arming.  I could be wrong on that of course,,,,but I don't think so.  51% has made tremendous change in the US--Iraq, stategy in the war on terror, appointments to the Supreme Court, tax policy, etc.  

So I sincerely applaud the leadership of other countries on these issues, which after all, have huge impact on all of us.

by wchurchill on Fri Feb 17th, 2006 at 02:12:23 PM EST
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