“Should the United States try to reach a grand rapprochement with Iran in the manner of our opening to China under Nixon? Or should we instead overtly support domestic reformers and try to topple the regime as we did with the Soviet Union under Reagan?”

In other words, if Ledeen can persuade his audience that a “grand rapprochement” is pie-in-the-sky dreaming, then it follows that trying “to topple the regime” is the only alternative. I happen to agree (for now, at least) with the first part, but I fail to see that the second part necessarily follows from that premise.

Mr. Leverett uses veiled intellectual arguments instead of just making accusations outright. His “couched” accusations word for word ape those of the blood sucking islamic regime. Such As:
He said several times that Jundullah blew up several IRGC officers RIGHT before the Iranians were going to agree with the 5+1 group on a nuclear agreement and Jundullah was not on the terror list, etc. He did NOT come out and connect the two events. He wants us to do that so we can’t blame HIM for saying such accusatory remarks. Mr. Leverett, do you believe the U .S. is supporting Jundullah? What is your point? Are you accusing the U.S. of something that you are afraid to just come out and point out?

And I think your “China” analogy is not so much an intellectual comparison as a platform for you to send more Islamic Republic messages not to the PEOPLE, but to the U.S. government: Such as:
“Get your navy patrols out of the Persian gulf.” You did not come out and say this, you just said that’s what Nixon said about China.
Do you think we should get our navy out of the Middle East? If so, then COME OUT and say it! And if you Do, then we know for SURE you are a de facto diplomatic messenger for the Iranian government.

your red carpet status with the Islamic Republic is a patent violation of your position at the New America Foundation, and greatly endangers their IRS / tax status at a not for profit Washington think tank. If you want to lobby, just go become a lobbyist.

Oh, and next time you are given the red carpet treatment by the Islamic republic, take note that THAT carpet is drenched with the blood of thousands of young iranian dissidents you and your beloved Hillary are trampling on.

Oh, and instead of a tour of Tehran so-called University’s so-called American Studies department – how naive of you – you should ask to be given a tour of Rajai Shahr prison, where you can visit Mr. Osanloo, the labor leader, and Evin prison, especially ward 209, where Iranian dissenters are being eleectrocuted, raped and beaten as we speak. Really.

“Even though both Michael and David disagree with many of our analyses and policy recommendations about Iran, we deeply appreciate that they address our arguments on substantive grounds, in a thoroughly civil and constructive way, and without anyone’s motives ever being subjected to ad hominem attack.”

I think comments like this – and more so the genuine conviction which I presume underlies them – add and will continue to add a great deal of weight to what the Leveretts have to say. Needless to say, over the years there have been many opponents of Michael Ledeen and David Frum who have said some not-very-nice things about them after a debate, or in a review of their written works, and the appearance of a comment such as this – praising both of them for civility and attention to substantive arguments, in a single sentence – may well be a historical first.

Larjani it is — thanks (I knew he looked familiar). I understand that is Rafsanjani on the other side of Khamenei. Not sure much of a conclusion can be drawn from a mandatory photo-op, at least as long as they’re out of swinging distance from one another with the Leader in between. My hunch is that Rafsanjani and Ahmadinejad didn’t go out for a beer after the photo.

Its also very interesting that Mark Brzezinski, son of Zbigniew Brzezinski is launching and heading up a new Iran project at the institute. I may be peeking in more often. I also find it very interesting that Hillary allowed herself to be seen at the University of Tehran, with someone who is 180 degrees opposed to her views regarding Iran, or more accurately what the US main stream media presumes to be her views. Wonder what the Iranian leadership is thinking about that?

So Ledeen is still a great liar. Still calling for other to spill blood in his revolutionary dreams. “No change” there either.

Flynt, your argument was very strong and straight and presented well formed.

Thanks.