Secretary Rice has been dispatched to Congress and the Media to get the let’s move from Iraq to Iran dialogue started. While Russia and China has made it clear to America that they are not willing to participate in any ramping up of dialog on strengthened sanctions for Iran. This administration still dispatches Secretary Rice to make headlines and get that message out there into the public. We would need corporation from other nations to make this kind of strategy successful. Since this administration does not understand true diplomacy, once again it has set out on the wrong track.

 If getting support for stronger sanctions is our purpose, why start with antagonizing other nations. Since most countries believe that this administration has wrongfully cherry picked intelligence in the past to promote its causes. We would need to persuade other nations that the information, of which we are relying, is actionable intelligence not propaganda. With the remarks form the president last week about keeping Iran from becoming a nuclear power means avoiding WWIII, the way the Iranian president was treated during his visit and stay in America, along with the constant reporting from General Patreus that Iran has become our major threat in Iraq. Most countries have reason to be cautious of what this administration is really persuing. No one wants to be on the front line of starting a war with Iran but Cheny/Bush administration.

 We have created a mess in the Middle East so now is not the time to be further escalating the situation. Syria was reportedly struck by Israel, followed by recent reports of suspicious activity being picked up on satellite. Turkey is now saying regardless of how America reacts, the will start their incursion into Iraq. Shelling of Israel from Gaza has prompted them to consider shutting down power to the region.

 Afghanistan has almost become a forgotten entity in this whole foray into the Middle East. But we have to stay mindful of the fact that the original intent was to enter in Afghanistan and rid it of the Taliban. Our cause was supposedly to get lawful retribution for the attacks of 9/11.We was supposedly going to remove the Taliban, capture and kill Al Qaeda and its’ hierarchy. Osama Bin-Laden still roams the Afghanistan-Pakistan borders. We wrongfully diverted our resources to removal of Sadam Hussein while importing democracy into Iraq. 

 The Middle East has never been a region filled with Democratic nations. This is not going to happen through military force or over burdening and unnecessary sanctions. It’s now time for us to take a step back and reevaluate the process. Maybe it will take sitting down with Syria and Iran in diplomatic talks to persuade other nation that we have truly tried our best for a diplomatic end. The powers of persuasion could once again become our most powerful tool.