stevenmeyer,

As Emma White has written what is required is is "constructive engagement of Iran" to reduce tensions, I wonder if this would suit Israeli policy.

"Obama's picture has already been burned in the streets of Tehran", so what! There are numerous belligerent comments on record from American politicians in regard to Iran. I'm sure that the mullahs(mad or sane) have a justifiable fear of Israel and the US. The CIA has a long history of interference in Iranian affairs, particularly in the 1950s and the Iranians haven't forgotten. If the Iranian regime could be convinced it has little to fear from Israel and the US it might be easier to deal with.

America should leave Israel to fight its own battles, the ME would be a far safer place.

It's a deal, Mac:

America should leave Israel to fight its own battles...
provided that Israel will also no longer have to fight America's battles, including against Iran and its satellites, Hezbollah and Hamas.

Like many in the loony-left, you attack Israel only because you associate it with America. Indeed, Israel does not need to be owning such wars that are none of its business and fight for foreign causes such as the USA's.

Let's just see now whether Iran is listening and willing to differentiate, recognizing that Israel is not America and allowing the Israelis to live peacefully.

Would Iran allow Israel to exist, on the petty condition of disengaging from America? Lets see... anybody there...?

I guess we'll see if the president has the power to change, or just talk whilst the Israel lobby continues with business as usual.
I'm afraid I just don't believe in this "evil empire" stuff about Iran. Had the US stayed out of its politics then the population would have removed the Mullahs by now.
So long as the US talks "democracy" and "freedom" on one hand whilst the CIA kidnaps, tortures, undermines elected governments and teaches terrorism (School of America) on the other...well, would you trust a person who acted that way?
Like a good mate, we in Australia forgive the US almost anything because they helped us a bit in WWII and are culturally connected. Whilst it is fine to back a mate, when he turns criminal it is a friends duty to call it and say "enough". We failed that duty under Howard, I hope we don't do it again the personality cult of Obama.
like most other folks, I'm really hoping for real change...

Yuyutsu,

I suggest(1) you don't attempt to read my mind, and

(2) don't try ad hominem arguments.

the Left has always been the conscience of Western civilisation and a restraint on the warmongers of the Right. You are incorrect in your assumption, I associate Israel with the colonisation and oppression of the Palestinians, the Zionists should return to their 1967 borders.
Why are Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah enemies of the USA, they are products of Israeli policy and internal ME politics, America is fighting Israel's enemies, you have the problem back the front. Israel poses as an ally in the ludicrously named "war on terror"and slaughters Palestinians in the name of "self defence". Israel has all the armaments and the will to use them barbarously, why peace when the Zionist project is incomplete?

Mac,

Personally I think the US should try to engage with Iran. However the chances of a successful engagement with Iran are slight so long as the corrupt mullahs are in control because the MULLAHS PROBABLY WOULD NOT LET IT HAPPEN.

The mullahs live very well in Iran. They occupy a privileged position. Were Iran to open up to the world how long do you think their corrupt and brutal, but lucrative for them, theocracy would last?

My guess is not very long and they know it. The mullahs thrive on Western enmity.

You know what mac? I think the Obama administration will try and engage with Iran. Let's see how the mullahs react.

stevenlmeyer,

Yes, indeed, let's see, constructive engagement is worth a try. "The mullahs thrive on Western enmity", this is exactly the argument expressed in the article, why make them stronger? Surely the average Iranian will rally around the flag when faced with external threats. I'll concede that Iran is ruled by a particularly brutal regime.However we're not dealing with Hitler or the Japanese militarists of the 1940s, but a semi-industrialised society with a weak economy. Propaganda portrayed Saddam Hussein's ramshackle regime as a menace to the ME, let's not have any more of those self-serving lies.