We've changed our ways and are now talking to Iran.

Which dictator? You do know that the President is little more than a figurehead, right? What is of greater concern than Iran's military toys is that the country is increasingly being controlled by the Revolutionary Guard and seems to be moving towards a military dictatorship. The citizens of Iran are being increasingly mistreated so, yes, it's more beneficial for them that an open dialog continues to be possible between the government and the leaders of the rest of the world as well as the U.N. itself. Please keep in mind that the U.N. put those sanctions in place, not the U.S. Iran has been trying to develop nuclear weapons capabilities...that's nothing new...they're just trying different pathways towards that end lately and it's not working. No one is taking Iran's threats against Israel lightly...most especially Israel...but should the nations of the world try to avoid an attack by either side that will kill and maim innocent people using every tool at their disposal, including talking? Of course they should...all of them...including the U.S.

I agree, I'm glad that we have become warm and fuzzy with achmadinikillya. I think Iran is definitely a threat! I sympathize with the Iranian people and I think if they ask for our help, they should get it. I don't think we should jump in if they don't want our help. But they have asked for our help.

I agree with you on a number of issues. I don't doubt (never have) for a minute the ultimate goal of Iran is to develop a nuclear weapon. While they wouldnt be stupid enough to overtly use one preemptively on us, or Isreal, or anyone else for that matter, they would consider it as the same thing we do...a deterant. Then there is the Hammas and Hezbolah facor, I have no doubt they would put a bomb in the hands of these groups then all bets are off. But, what are we to do? Start another war? not exactly what we need. Besides we have more than enough foriegn entanglements as it is, we need to decompliate our international relations greatly. So the only option is to continue what we are probably doing already, fund and assist resistance and reform groups with in Iran.

Maggie, the truth of this matter is that the CIA was doing a great job of promoting freedom, and assisting in the youth up rising before we invaded Iraq. That sent that program right back to square one. The best thing for our government to do is explain to them what the consequences are of their actions, and SHUT UP. Let the CIA do what they do best (overthrow governments without anyone knowing they did), and hope that the new movement can organize and stop the current leadership from doing something stupid.

I suppose this one skewed out of context way of looking at it. Firstly, remember, diplomacy and talking is always a better option than flexing one's muscles just to make a point. Unfortunately, there is in the world today an effort to undermine all peaceful avenues before contemplating war. Why? We are humans at the very least, we are not there to kill unnecessarily. Now the Bush administration rattled many a American on this war-footing - why? Just because he has the WMD to destroy an ant? Secondly, look at Robert Mugabe, ruined his economy and is responsible for countless deaths. Where is the US defending its people? Look at Rwanda in 1990's where 250,000 people were hacked. The US defence was 'we have no economic or strategic interest in Rwanda'. Then there was Bosnia, US finally acted with Europe after 4 and half years of media coverage of the slaughter of genocide which stopped the war altogether. Osama Bin Laden is still on the loose and countless lives have been lost in his pursuit. This begs the question, is the US really after justice and fairness after September 11th?? Israel continually violates Lebonan, Syrian and Jordanian airspace, and has impunity to bomb any nation it sees fit. More importantly, why is no one raising a finger at Israel for the use of Phosphorous shells which are illegal?? So you see, with WMD, the US should not be aggravated by a fly in the ointment, it should rather be responsible and remove the threat from the fly by using commonsense means. And if it is to act fairly and responsibly then it must take all leaders who commit crimes, including Netanyahu and Litvi, as well as Mugabe held to account. But you Mystic, have posted in a language which expressed a hatred of Iran that only be a product of what you have been fed. You talk of battleship, the US navy has many, and some are very close to the Iranian borders. Fair is fair, if we place an Iranian warship near New York and Los Angeles, an Iranian airbase in Canada and Mexico.......can you see how absurd this is, and by rhetoric there would be no chance that the Americans could stand for it. So you tell me, the Persian Gulf has US forces, Afghanistan and Iraq either side of Iran have been invaded with US bases. Saudi Arabia and Jordan both have US forces. And of course there is Israel. You tell me - can Iran possibly do anything? But if you were Iran, would you like to have all your dealings from the back door to avoid being bullied, and would you feel comfortable that somebody is breathing down your neck all the time. This is the simple truth, the Iranians shout and squirm, but you have your finger in their wound and rub salt in it. Remember, Iraq is no success, in many ways it is a defeat, as Afghanistan is also proving to be. Try it, go for Iran, but Americans know that Iranians cannot be bought like the Iraqis were, and to invade Iran would be far bloodier. Therefore, it is the US who needs to change its ways. For the US under the Bush administration had lost much crediblity in the world. And China is not exactly desparate to trade with the US. Russia and China are increasingly trading with Iran, as are many smaller countries and SE Asia. There is also much European trade, hence reluctance of France to fully impose sanctions. There is a danger that the Eastern Alliance does not leave the UK and US out in the cold. But Obama talking has delayed this process, and Americans need to take heed of alliances being formed outside US influence. And lastly, if, as in the British Empire stance, Americans feel they are on an imperial conquest of the world, then the arrogant nature of those thinkers need to reflect that imperialism leads to a very big downfall if history is to be any use.