Back to an issue I've covered in some earlier posts - Obama's stance towards Iran after the election. I draw your attention to three separate pieces with a similar message: Obama should bide his time, put off any move to engage. Here's Trudy Rubin:
In fact, the engagement policy must of necessity be put in the deep freeze for the foreseeable future. The events in Iran have left the administration with no other choice.
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[A]ny U.S. engagement with Iranian leaders at present would legitimize election results that are still disputed, despite official claims. It would imply endorsement of leaders whose legitimacy is now at issue among their own people.
"At this stage, to talk with any side can give the impression that the United States has accepted that side's victory, even though the dust has not settled," said Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council.
Despite the killings, beatings, and arrests, the Green revolt has widened divisions within Iran's power elite, including the clergy, that have yet to play out in internal battles, whose outcome is unpredictable.
Then, referring to economic trends in Iran since the election, the writer here says, 'the White House should keep in mind an old quote from Napoleon: "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."' And Roger Cohen in the New York Times concludes: 'Obama must leave them dangling for the foreseeable future. He should refrain indefinitely from talk of engagement. To do otherwise would be to betray millions of Iranians who have been defrauded and have risked their lives to have their votes count.'