US To Open Diplomatic Relations With Iran?

For a long while the Doves and Hawks in and around Washington have been banging on about Iran, about using war - playing double or quits on a grand scale, or diplomacy, jaw-jaw being better than war, war in Churchill's famous phrase.

Although those around Cheney do still want war it is becoming increasingly unlikely. A limited strike is also being planned, but it may well not be used. Indeed the odds of action have lenghened considerably, especially as the military objected.

For good reasons; Iraq will explode, it will be the greatest recruiting tool for exremists, we don't know what to bomb and, importantly, the Iranians will fight back.

It is a good sign that the US is thinking of starting a diplomatic presence in Iran. The history between the two countries has been full of mistrust on both sides, justifiably so but the steps to a stable future are in the beginning small and this may be the start of something.

There may also be some good news for Gordon Brown after recent events. It seems that the UK military budget can be cut drastically, simply by buying a copy of Photoshop. Or even better, Mr Brown there's the freeware Gimp.