By host Tom Ashbrook:
Another awful day today in Iraq with mass kidnappings and no doubt killings to follow. And, pressure grows on Washington to do something to change course.
Now Britain’s Tony Blair says “talk to the neighbors.” Former Secretary of State James Baker has indicated he may say the same. Secretary of Defense in waiting, Robert Gates, has already said “engage.”
But the neighbors that matter most in the Iraq War — Iran and Syria — are hardly the sugar-sharing kind with the United States. This is “axis of evil” territory, the realm of new nukes.
Territory neo-cons have wanted to invade. Critics say a talk remedy is an illusion. But the US now has few choices, and almost all are bad.
This hour On Point: meet the neighbors to the Iraq War.
Quotes from the Show:
“The US can not lead a political process in Iraq by itself.” Vali Nasr
“In the case of Iraq, we have a common vision [with Iraq's neighbors].” Barbara Bodine
“Iran is not going to be served if Iraq is a failed state.” Barbara Bodine
Guests:
Vali Nasr, Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, author of “The Shia Revival”
Barbara Bodine, former coordinator for post-conflict reconstruction of Baghdad, former US Ambassador to Yemen
Robin Wright, Diplomatic Correspondent for the Washington Post
