worries about internatinal inspections.

The Iranian regime isn't responding to negotiations because it isn't interested in any compromise. They want the bomb. Period. The U.S. (or Alon Ben-Meir) can engage Iran in direct negotiation from here till hell freezes over. They aren't looking for a peaceful compromise. What Alon Ben-Meir should have asked was not whether the Bush administration should do more to engage Iran in direct talks, but whether the Bush administration is prepared to do what it takes to stop these maniacs who are hellbent on getting nuclear weapons no matter the cost to their country and its people! Would direct negotiations with Hitler have stopped the holocaust?

The world would be better off without them. Whatever is necessary should be done

Good article Alon Ben-Meir !! How about an article on "Israel should engage Hamas" Cheers

isnt it about time there was a nuclear holocaust in the middle east??this is what weve all been waiting for....please ....PLEASE ...PLEASE

"US should engage Iran" - Typical Israeli comment

NAZI-ideology-inspired????

As if Iran's sponsorship of international terrorism, nuclear weapons technology proliferation and gross human rights abuses were only the US's problem. Iran is a global threat! Engaging Iran directly would most likely lead to military confrontation sooner rather than later. At least now, the international community has a chance to accept the responsibilities it has abdicated for so long. Direct talks between Tehran and Washington would force both sides to acknowledge the political and ideological chasm between the two, expediting the likelihood of war.

This American guy is taking money from Saudis and other Peace activists. Now I suspect he was paid by the Iranian gvnt. A. Ben-Meir. Like Neturei Karta, Peace Now, Hamas and other similar organzations they need cash. Who will employ him otherwise? saudis and Iranians pay a lot to those people and their handlers.

And what planet does he live on?

Whether the USA should engage Iran is a good question. I would like to look at this more from the perspective that, as it stands, the USA has a huge trade deficit with China. The OPEC power of Iran is slowly and persistently pushing up the price of Oil until the USA economy can no longer manage the deficit by trading in balances made elsewhere. Then the white bread American will feel the pinch and by then the American economy will be so unbalanced in the global economy that the currencies that would have previously linked themselves to the dollar will also feel the pinch. In the face of a totalitarian, militarised and by propaganda, mobilised Iran, it would seem like the time to act is now. It is, don’t misunderstand me, but brinkmanship with the very best in striking intelligence must buy as much time until their frustrations force them to blow their cover. Iran, with China as it main customer, gets more than just much needed hard currency. Oil in exchange for balances of power in the international system cause a weakened America and provide Iran with a ideological battle to champion for the revolutionary fervour to feel that it has momentum. Lots of “Make Persia great again” talk. Other powers now exist and America could easily become obsessed with the war on the extreme militant Islamist terrorism and isolate itself and weaken itself internationally and logistically. It could divide US society from within. With China and Russia always lurking in the Iranian wings internationally once can but see a single conclusion. The Realist dynamic; Primacy. A “cold war” with Iran would make, once protracted, a far softer USA. The international society could change and new deals can be done. I think Beijing would be happy to see China dominating the South Americas and Africa offering a brand of emancipation from the “2 world evils” Imperialism and Capitalism. I’ll explain; China’s economy is emerging as a strong contender in the next 30 years. They also have a long view on their position in International Politics. Until recently quite isolated, self isolated in fact, with an internal development view, they had ideological designs built into their state system of bringing about global communist emancipation. Although the cold war is over and the CCCP has fallen, that dog may still have its day. We have seen China test the US' response to rogue states acquiring and threatening with atomic weaponry, by way of North Korea and economically with strategic small states, like Taiwan. In other words, all the know-how needed through examined response, in which to hand the information to Iran, keeps China isolated, purposefully and therefore removed from the arena of any given “crisis” that should arise. Rather than engaging Iran, they should ignore Iran, source Oil elsewhere, narrow the gap on the trade deficit with China, and mend relations with the Americas and bolster a strong Europe to be able to partner them in the regional development of good economic relations and development between North and southern Hemispheres. Africa and Europe, North and South America. Forget Iran, don’t give them the attention. We can all see Ahmedinejad acting like Hitler. Its obvious what is going to happen, ignore him until the moment is right and then get 1st strike. Just let Iran tinker, they will eventually show their hand, and when that happens, the whole world will strike out against them. It’s really China doing all the research. They are testing the water to work out their “trajectory” meanwhile trying to get the USA busy with as many “crises” as possible. China will retract for another 50-80 years while building a regional economic market structure with Mongolia, North Korea and some of the other Central Eurasian States, dominating Tibet and influencing Nepal with eyes on Bhutan until they have a Himalayan great wall of China buttressing on Pakistan and India.

Is he from this crazy sect from London that went to Iran? I saw Peres kissing Arafat. Soon this dude will kiss the Iranian prez.

Surely the author of this is a joke writer. I've heard more coherrent arguments from a drunk in a bar at closing time. Hey Moron, he says he wants to wipe Israel off the face of the map. What else can he say to convince you? It has to be a joke!

all the time. Only a couple of weeks ago there was news item on this very site which reported the visit by some Israelis to Iran. The problem is neither regime wants to let the world know the truth about their contacts. I am glad that behind the saber rattling facade there are some sane people whose job is to help to both parties to avoid a real calamity for both peoples.

Theres no doubt that with goodwill this serious and dangerous situation can be resolved. But the unease with Iran is based not on any Iranophobia but the sheer absurd madness of the utterings of Ahmadijenad and the dark mullahs pulling his strings. -He says he wants to develop nuclear enrichment but only for peaceful purposes. -But then he says that he would wipe Israel off the map, attack USA and Europe and blow up the straits of Hormuz - how - with nuclear weapons perhaps? -Then he says that he is prepared to share nuclear technology whatever that means with whoever they choose! Consider this. On that basis they dont need to attack their so called enemies directly but simply arm their proxy terrorists with nuclear arms - people who would have no qualms in using it for a moment even if it means blowing up themselves and millions of others. Supposing they gave such a weapon to Al Quiada? To the Chechen rebels, to the Kashmiri rebels, to the Chinese Muslims? To Saudi Jihadis, to Hizbollah, to French Muslims, Dutch Muslims, British Muslims..... You couldnt put it past than blundering madman. Thats why the world should be so careful and why we should urge Russia, China, Japan and India to use all their influence with Iran and the UN to halt this slippery slide to disaster and not allow just one man and his cronies to dictate the future of the planet

monkey country has long range missles that can hit Israel and even Europe and is working on missles that could hit the US. They are working to make nuclear warheads. So joe, it is time for an ultimatum to allow unlimited inspections in iran and syria, or bomb them to nothing in self defence. You don't wait until you are dead to stop insane freaks.

It was Iran's choice to break-off relations with the US by invading US soveriegn embassy in Iran and taking hostages, and the idea that the US re-establish relations with Iran on the basis of Iran being a threat, not to mention with the very same leader who was responsible for the initial attack on the embassy, is what diplomats call a "non-starter". Forget it. Ain't gonna happen.

Alon Ben-Meir's proposal of engaging with Iran is simplistic. You do not talk with a fanatical Ayatollah Islamist-Jihadist regime that is on a mission of using nuke to wipe off another country--Israel (see p.224 of "World on Fire" by Amy Chua). The best solution to this existential threat is you preempt them before they preempt you.

unfortunately the author does not take into account the irrationality of the Iranian government.

In 1967 Gamal abdel Nasser, the Egyptian president was threatning Israel's existence, informing the world how he was going to attack and anihilate all jews. Israel responded with a successful pre emptive strike, crippling the entire Arab world and its perpetual dream to wipe out Jews from this earth. Today, there is a bigger threat coming from Iran, stating daily t to destroy Israel. Iran, which has been trying to prove to the Arabs that it is a legitimate Islamic entity, has more reasons to follow up with their threat. It is now up to Israel, and not the US or the EU to dictate our destiny, history does recall that all great nations have come and gone, while Jews have prevailed.

Joy, you have some good points here, but I respectfully disagree with your premise I don’t think economy has a lot to do with American position on Iran. This is true in case of Russia, China and France. However the nuclear danger far outweigh any economic issues like 100 to one. The world is simply scared shitless from the fanatical mullahs from Iran. We shouldn’t “ignore” Iran as pre WWII Europe ignored Hitler (you can read all about the “Peace in our Time” history at your convenience) We have to engage Iran and neutralize their nuke ambitions, whatever the cost. Alternative is simply terrible. Iranian regime is danger to ALL neighborhood, especially Arabs for reasons I won’t describe here. Their balls are shaking too, Joy. Europeans starting to get it too. The problem they don’t have the balls. Iran strategic objective is to become a regional nuclear super power and to terrorize the whole Middle East. They want to export their revolution everywhere no matter what. The guy Ahmedishoot waits for 12th imam to emerge from the well, Joy no less. There is “strange” coalitions started to surface. Extreme Islamists sleep with Marxist mutants in the same bed ( read about Chomsky and Hizb Allah) Hizb Alah is as you may know is an Iranian proxy in the Middle East. They also are increasingly active in Gaza. Iran is allied with the most Marxist oil states like red Venezuela under Chavez . Another good example is European Marxists like Ken the Red are hugging both Chavez on one hand and Humza Islamist on another. The current WWIII is clearly a war between good and evil. Extreme right and extreme left are united against democracy and freedom. What NOT to understand? Nice try, Joy but I don’t buy your theory, sorry.

When you shoot them through the noggin, anything less is a waste. WWII was a perfect example, Dresden, Nagasaki, Hiroshima. Lot's of dead people lead to the distaste for war. Every so many years the human race has to be reminded again. A skipping record. It's time to bomb Iran, they would do the same to us if not stopped now.

http://israelbehindthenews.com/Archives/Jun-27-01.htm#EU http://www.freeman.org/m_online/jan03/glick.htm

Yeah, cause that worked so well with North Korea. Sorry, tried it already, buddy. If the financially weak and spiritually empty North Korea wouldn't listen to us, why would oil rich, religious fanatics of a much larger, more populous, and more powerful country listen to us? Oh yeah, Neville Chamberlain tried your approach too. Read history man, you don't even have to go back that far!!

You tricked me into reading this article with your headline! I agree, we should engage Iran.............................. just not in talks.

at least i got your attention, just this once kiddo. Imhonoured for such a lengthy criticism withing a realist framework. I understand about keeping the presure on, I also understand about the first stike imperitive. but Venezuala could be converted to a burgeoning South American continent. Not concerned with international folly in areas of the world that people dont really want to hang around in at night. Although the "golden age" of the South Americas expansion was from the 40s to the 80's and the huge slumps and upheaval. The signs are now promising. However Ron, There are the main 3 streaks in south american leftism. 1 the popularist like morales and chavez. 2 the steady left wing development governments like Lula's brazil, uraguay and chile 3 castro The second is the best option. The scenario is that in the face of a long and protracted middle eastern campaign, the extra cost has to mean extra income and that is best made or at least balanced within the Oil markets. Thats what the USA does. So by backing more of the second options governments the USA will forge a better sense of regionalism, trade and common heritage AND in the process weaken the by then ailing radicals. After all, with so many cosmopolitan peopled cultures their markets will always be bouyant as people KNOW what they want to buy. Great for trading in and with the right management The Americas could be a fantsticaly democratic place. So similar across North and South but just divided by whether they are a certain Indiginous and fusion of which european culture, as for Argentina?, well thats Europa Americas. At present China cant mess with the USA. But if US policy weakens through a protracted middle east campaign, that trade defecit could just be the straw that breaks the camels back. China jumps in and says "hi" we'll lend you the dollars you need. Suddenly the USA got a banker. Thats how it can go as any scenario can but thanks for the time all the same.

Roni lech ha Beita!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4994828.stm well look-ee-here, who would have thought it? well i never... stich in time foreign policy is what China is all about.