Interesting parallel events...

I think two very interesting developments that have taken place over the last few days are tacit endorsements of Barack Obama and his willingness to talk.

The Prime Minister of Syria has said that peace with Israel is desirable, but won't take place with the Bush Administration in power.

The Prime Minister of Iraq has said, and was echoed by his Foreign Minister the next day, that Iraq will not sign any new agreements for U.S. bases/presence etc., unless there is an exit timetable included.

One candidate is wanting to continue George Bush's Iraq policies. One does not.

One candidate prefers to use saber-rattling, hyperbole, and threats as his chief diplomatic tools.

The other candidate wants to open lines of communication with all of our "enemies"- not unconditionally, as his opponent is repeatedly and inaccurately saying, as well as advertising ad nauseum on both The Jerusalem Post and Haaretz web sites in a particularly-Liebermanesque and despicable case of sliminess.

Rather, the interest in opening lines of communications has not been put forth unconditionally, but when "...it furthers the interests of the United States."

It could not be more simple, more sensible, more logical, or more reasonable than that.