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Will Obama Talk to Iran?
November 19, 2008 11:24 AM
By JIM SCIUTTO, Senior Foreign Correspondent, ABC News London
President-elect Barack Obama earned a surprising new endorsement for direct U.S. talks with Iran.
Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, Israel's military intelligence chief, caught many off guard here, saying that dialogue is not appeasement and that the world economic crisis and Obama's win combined to create potentially favorable conditions for diplomacy with Iran.
This is extremely unusual talk in a country where officials have in recent months vehemently dismissed direct contacts between Tehran and Washington, arguing they would interpreted as weakness. And the comments are particularly whiplash-enducing at a time when the most recent speculation here had been about a possible Israeli attack on Iran before Obama takes office in January.
With oil prices down and President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad in danger of losing in next year's presidential elections, some here sense weakness and, as a result, opportunity.
Read more blogs by Jim Sciutto
November 19, 2008 in Jim Sciutto | Permalink | User Comments (12)
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Isn't it nice that all the BS coming from Bush/Cheney isn't immediately accepted as fact now? Even Israel won't lie for Bush anymore. Refreshing!
President-elect Obama has shown already that he is willing to engage with rivals, enemies, etc. -- displaying a trait associated with adult behavior, and one unknown amongst Jr.'s incompetent group of ignorant conservatives. I predict he will reestablish communication with Iran and other enemies, and the world will be better off for it. Al Qeada is already quaking in their boots at the thought that they won't have Bush to help recruiting and that Obama will establish a real international coalition to fight them. Good things in store for the world, for the first time in eight long years......
Posted by: whybeconservative? | Nov 19, 2008 2:43:44 PM
Screw Israel
Posted by: Citizen in FL | Nov 19, 2008 2:53:11 PM
Amazing how people swallow whatever certain leaders say -whether it's Bush or anyone else. In all this "we will not negotiate" business, no one in the press has bothered to mention what the state of the world would be if Reagan hadn't sat down with the leader of "the evil empire". EVERY president before G W Bush has used the JFK dictum: "We will never negotiate out of fear. But we will never fear to negotiate."
Bush seems to prefer to hide behinds his mother's apron strings (the military) than face those who have strong disagreements with him.
Posted by: The_Mick | Nov 19, 2008 3:38:01 PM
whybeconservative?, so you're admitting that Iran is an enemy of the US? But that that fact is "BS"? Kinda contradicting statements there, I guess...
Posted by: Jazz | Nov 19, 2008 4:06:46 PM
so let me get this right,Mr. Obama has to get his permission from Israel to do something ?I wounder who is running this country hoooom.
Posted by: hajiali | Nov 19, 2008 4:47:06 PM
Obama needs to open doors to ALL foreign leaders. It's an Earth thing ya'll.
Posted by: DobermanSpencer | Nov 19, 2008 5:20:27 PM
Maybe he can come back with "peace in our time" and we'll all live happily ever after.. just like we did last time.
Posted by: howwouldiknow | Nov 20, 2008 1:46:22 PM
The mullah's regime of Iran is the most barbaric regime on earth, they are just like hitler. I know what i'm talking about because i am Iranian. Mr. Obama good luck talking with this barbaric regime. I am not trying to bring presidenit-elect Obama down, but this regime won't lesson to any one. They are barbaric.
Sincerely
Reza
Posted by: Reza | Nov 20, 2008 8:25:58 PM
Obama and his leftist illuminati beliefs are going to turn our country into a big punching bag. Why should we have to get Israel's permission to talk to Iran?
Posted by: Jeff | Nov 20, 2008 10:38:00 PM
As we Believers remember to Pray, give Obama a chance to keep his word. Remember Obama in Your Prayers, He has much and many to contend with. Above all Keep Faith, Keep Faith, Keep Faith!!! Fight the powers of darkness with prayer, supplication and fasting. Continue in Faith that Obama will make decisions to Light.
Posted by: Asadulla Abad | Nov 20, 2008 11:32:03 PM
So obama thinks he can throw his BS at the Iranian and they will see the light. Come on barrack, these guys are not liked your naive supporters that believed in whatever manure you feed them. Wake up and smell the consequences.
With your plans to weakening our military and reduction in defense research programs, al queda must be quaking in their boots. Pretty soon, your "blamed" Bush" excuse used to inflamed the crowd won't help you......election is over! So wised up fast and try not to do too much damage to our country.
Posted by: USA-No1 | Nov 21, 2008 12:58:38 PM
Nicely put USA-No1 Good to see that not all continue to drink the cool-aid.
Posted by: Lancev32 | Dec 12, 2008 9:25:17 AM
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