Besides precipitating a global economic crises, the final straw that broke the back of the US economy were the trillions of dollars in unnecessary war expenses and liabilities the Bush/Cheney regime added to US debt. We just narrowly dodged a global depression that cost trillions more in lost value and bailouts to avert. Start another war and 300 million Americans may as well shove a revolver in their mouths and scream; ‘its all over except for the shout’ before they pull the trigger.

I seriously doubt another war is in the cards with anybody. I don’t even think the US can afford to go to war with Liechtenstein. Nor was I ever convinced Haass is a ‘realist,’ though he incessantly claims to be one. And I believe he is lying where he carries on as if has had an epiphany regarding the Iranians and solemnly intones: “I’ve changed my mind.” I’ve suspected Haass was a closet neocon and now I know.

Calabresi is saying a mouthful where he asserts: “…Obama faces the unpleasant reality that neither the engagement track nor the sanctions track appear to be going anywhere…” The Leverett’s and guests on this site have well documented the reasons for the former, while the latter is or was a stepping stone to more coercive actions against Iran in Dennis Ross’s game plan. A policy that is profusely bleeding to death at the feet of China, Russia and Germany.

I am not giving up on Obama. He has been in office 1 year and entered under adverse circumstances that only Madison, Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt faced. Its a cakewalk to Monday quarterback, but how many of us could manage as well or better? This president has a super abundance of enemies just waiting for him to stumble and fall, and the worst are in the Democrat party on the extreme, progressive left. So far, like Reagan, Obama has been lucky in the American people, but unlucky in his party.

I’m giving Obama the benefit of the doubt for a least this year. He of course must break out of the policy reverses he has suffered as he navigates between the Scylla of domestic politics and Charybdis of foreign policy. If he can’t prevent his enemies from dictating his agenda the midterms will likely be devastating instead of merely a historic correction and on his way to being a one term president.

We all have to live in the real world. That sometimes involves saying and doing things we don’t really believe in. I do believe the president wants a constructive relationship with Iran, but he needs help getting there, and not least from the Iranians.

Can someone update us on the status of the uranium swap negotiations? If Iran isn’t willing to meet Obama at least halfway on this, the prospects for engagement are nil. I still believe that AMERICAN military action is not going to happen so long as Obama is president and Gates Secy. of Defense. That alone, however, will not form the basis of a policy that serves the interests of the American people. Stalemate and drift will allow the neocons and others to make mischief, with potentially serious consequences for the American people.

Once again, Obama proved himself slick at offering something he never intended to follow through on. But I think people are on to him. And it only took a year.