Negotiating with Iran

The reports two years ago that Iran had offered and the Bush Administration had summarily rejected dialogue has a lot to do with my thoughts on Bush's foreign policy and Obama's new direction. A few takeaways:

1. Part of the more cynical case for war in Iraq was to frighten our enemies and show that we mean business. The Bush Administration foolishly squandered the opportunity to take advantage of that.
2. Iran may be a rational actor willing to negotiate terms beneficial to both parties.
3. We lose credibility with the people of Iran as a result of our stubbornness, thereby "emboldening" our enemy Ahmadinejad and other hard-liners in that country.

Also, a lot of the talk about Iran has to do with Ahmadinejad and his personality. However, he may not be around much longer and can't make major foreign policy decisions without the approval of the Supreme Leader.