A Victory??

The administration just might have averted another conflict - in what can only be described as a game of chicken - and the other guy blinked..

The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - has made some really interesting overtures in the last few days about how his country is willing to negotiate.. This after a circulated letter was quickly condemned by Condi Rice and Bush as almost "much ado about nothing.."

Did Cowboy diplomacy work?? Did the threats actually convince the Iranian President to change his tune??

Historically, the general public has no idea what is said, bartered or negotiated behind the scenes of most deals.. Whether we're talking about a senate bill, a treaty, or even a contract with a company.. There's a declaration and the press takes the news and sends it on its way without pouring over the details, the back room deals.. Historically, people change their tune because something was worked out, an agreement was reached..

So while I am grateful that it looks as though we've averted another conflict, I'm really wondering what exactly happened behind the scenes that changed Ahmadinejad's mood.. The Russians and Chinese have been working out deals and potential agreements with the Iranian government - a way to keep the peace, so to speak..

I'm certain the administration is disappointed on one hand - because their foreign policy has been failing all around them.. Bombing Iran would have given them some legitimacy at a time when they needed gain respect.. Unfortunately for this administration the art of diplomacy is completely impotent and driven by pure ego.. The cowboy mentality of "shoot first, ask questions later" couldn't be more true than what has happened in Iraq..

I'm hopeful the ego on Pennsylvania Ave. wakes up and realizes exactly how difficult the world is to govern.. We've been isolated long enough - and we need international support if we're going to have any success in combatting world-wide terror..

There's a reason why Bush is not respected - and there's a reason why this administration can't see the forest for the trees because it's incapable of getting of it's high horse and look around.. Get off the horse, George.. See what world-wide cooperation is all about...