Iran, Israel & 2004

1) New talk – carefully leaked in D.C. over the weekend – that the Bush administration is now trying to undermine the Iranian government has many purposes.

First, it is a plain fact that Tehran is the single

2) These Iranian leaders are accelerating their nuclear program – undoubtedly as a deterrent to any possible U.S. military invasion. They see how easily Washington decided to take on Baghdad but how North Korea's already-existent nuke program deterred us from even talking about a New Korean War.

3) Iran has been the

4) Iran recently shipped tons of weapons aboard ships – one of which we intercepted – to the PLO. These guns and bombs were to be used by Arafat's thugs to kill Jews.

5) So, while we make sounds about removing the second of the three countries that comprised the Axis of Evil, Israel and the new Palestinian prime minister are making good progress on a peace agreement.

6) Arafat, the ayatollahs, Osama and Assad are

This ongoing conflict is a perfect 'cover' for them to raise money, buy weapons and increase their power. But with a peace settlement, what will their cause be?

7) Israel's hard-line Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is the

8) All of the above plays – heavily – into next year's presidential election. Sure, the economy here at home is the key, but a calmer Middle East can only help things.

And, conversely, if Iran becomes troublesome and requires more American action either in the U.N. or militarily, the American people will again rally to President Bush's side. The Democrats will have trouble distinguishing themselves from the president.

9) As of now, the Bush administration has discovered a valuable tool: Good policy