The first report is out regarding the talks between Iran and six other countries (USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China) to discuss the Iranian nuclear program. Not surprisingly, the word has come out to the press that the talks are "constructive" and "completely different" from the previous discussions 18 months ago.
If this were not such a serious subject, the report would be hilarious. Only a diplomat who thinks that talking is an end in itself would care much about the tone of talks with Iran. The only issue is the result of the talks. When the Iranians agree to open all their sites to immediate inspection of all their nuclear facilities with updates available whenever the inspectors desire on one hour notice, will we be able to know that Iran is actually doing something to reduce its nuclear program. Until then, all of this is talk. It may be talk that sounds good in newspaper articles and at political speeches, but it is still just talk. It means nothing.
We will soon hear from the legions of "experts" who will look serious and tell us that something truly historic is happening. These will be many of the same experts who told us in February that the agreement with North Korea was historic. Imagine, the new regime in North Korea was giving up missile development as well as further production of nuclear weapons. Of course, less than two months later, the NK's launched a missile test and they appear to be far along in preparations for another nuclear test. Wow, those experts sure were right! They are fools.
Today, Iran understands that if nothing happens to delay it, Israel is likely to attack the nuclear sites soon. The attack may come from Israel itself or from Israeli forces based in Azerbaijan or even Saudi Arabia. The Iranians also understand that if the attack comes in the summer, America will almost certainly support it, even if president Obama would rather not do so. Iran must believe that Obama would never have a confrontation with Israel at the start of a presidential campaign. So, Iran has to do something to delay the impending attack. What better way to slow things down than to "talk" to the six powers. What better way to convey false hope of success than to have a totally different attitude than last time.
The problem for the world is that, most likely, the Iranian conduct is a lie. Bomb preparations are continuing. Talks may end with a nuclear test being conducted by the Iranians. If the countries "talking" to Iran lack the will to set a deadline like a month from now to complete the talks and then to stick to that deadline, we will see continuing "productive" talks with no resolution.
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