Time for a Diplomatic Surge

The Bush administration seems to have placed the symbolic mantle of Enemy No. 1 on Iran’s shoulders, displacing al Qaeda from that position. But although the administration and various pundits paint a good guys-bad guys narrative to sell conflict to the American people, reality is far more muddled. Rather than demonizing Iran, the United States should focus on a diplomatic surge that includes direct, comprehensive, and unconditional talks not only on Iraq, but also on the range of outstanding issues between the two countries. What the Bush administration refuses to acknowledge is that when it comes to Iraq, U.S. and Iranian interests converge.

Click here to read the full article, "Time for a Diplomatic Surge," by Carah Ong, Right Web Analysis (Somerville, MA: Political Research Associates, April 29, 2008).