Steve, I am still very interested in your definition of the "constructive steps" you mention that Iran could take, on your Hillary/Wilson thread. Without defining those steps, the commentary really doesn't have much substance.

One response to Ali-Reza's piece is available here: http://thegrandstrategy.blogspot.com/2007/11/mad-theory-and-iran.html

POA -- most of my thoughts on the constructive steps Iran could/might take are part of Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett's commentary in the latest Esquire Magazine. But you raise a good point....and when I get out of the time crush I'm in right now, I'll try to write something that lays out what a bargain on both sides might look like, including the constructive steps Iran could take. best, steve

Steve, i just re-read the recent Esquire article. Other than an insistence that the Palestinian issue be addressed, I find no insight that your thoughts "on the constructive steps Iran could/might take are part of Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett's commentary" in that article.

I suspect you likely have such insights, and await the time when you are in a position to share them. For my part, I have less interest "in the constructive steps Iran could take", and more eagerly await your thoughts on the constructive steps you feel are appropriate for the U.S. to take, and am glad that you are willing to share your thoughts on that as well.

I would also be most interested in your thoughts on Putin, that he would construe an attack on Iran as an attack on Russia, and whether, like the leaders in Germany, the U.S. leaders might feel backed into a corner and forced to choose between an all out nuclear war or eventual prosecution for war crimes.

"Mohammad Ali-Reza...lives in Tehran and just published a remarkable letter in the Israeli press -- mostly remarkable because it appeared in the Jerusalem Post." posted by Steve Clemons

It WAS a remarkable letter, Mr. Clemons. Thank you for the link.

But what was more remarkable than the fact that it appeared in the Jerusalem Post was the eye-opening commentary that appeared in their readers' comments section. The rabid, unfocused, full-spectrum hate, the delusional misrepresentation of the facts, the denial of Israeli complicity in the mistreatment of the Palestinians, the WarWarWar rhetoric, the Kill The Vermin Now! calls took up almost all the entries.
Where were the voices of rationality in response to this remarkable letter?

Nowhere.

No wonder Israel is in so much trouble, when their supporters appear, (at least those supporters willing to comment in the on-line version of the Jerusalem Post), to suffer from chronic mental instability.