Photo: Christopher Brown-Syed
U.S.-Iran relations, as characterized by the State Department’s leading Iran expert, John Limbert, is one that is unfortunately troubled by bad timing and missed opportunities. When one side is ready for progress, the other is not. Last year, when the opportunity for negotiations arose, Iran plunged into domestic turmoil following disputed presidential elections. As Limbert put it: “They always zig when we zag.”
Another glaring misfortune, like many relationships that erode, is the inability to engage and communicate with Iran. Traditionally used as a foreign policy tool to persuade nations to negotiate, economic sanctions in Iran were touted as a “failure” by Ahmadinejad, resulting in an uncooperative Iran. Although the U.S. has come far by gradually changing its rhetoric towards Iran, where it is “perhaps doing less yelling at each other”, hostility still remains as Limbert expressed doubt that people can “exchange letters in a professional way”, indicating a strained relationship. Sadly, little progress has been made since the last 30 years.
READ MORE AT FOREIGN POLICY
Continue reading Foreign Policy: Hostage to Events
 Afghan President Hamid Karzai has agreed to send a group of military officers to Pakistan for training, a significant policy shift. The move is a victory for Pakistan, which seeks a major role in Afghanistan as officials in both countries become increasingly convinced that the U.S. war effort there is faltering. Afghan officials said Karzai has begun to see Pakistan as a necessary ally in ending the war through negotiation with the Taliban or on the battlefield.
Continue reading WaPo: Some Afghan military officers to get training in Pakistan
800px-Booms_at_Long_Beach_Mississippi
Rough seas generated by Hurricane Alex pushed more oil from the massive spill onto Gulf coast beaches as cleanup vessels were sidelined by the far-away storm’s ripple effects.
In Louisiana, the storm pushed an oil patch toward Grand Isle and uninhabited Elmer’s Island, dumping tar balls as big as apples on the beach. In Alabama, the normally white sand was streaked with long lines of oil.
Dozens of vessels that would normally be out skimming for oil were tied to docks Tuesday as Alex, more than 500 miles away, approached the Texas-Mexico coast. The vessels will likely be off duty for days.
“The sad thing is that it’s been about three weeks since we had any big oil come in here,” marine science technician Michael Malone said. “With this weather, we lost all the progress we made.”
READ THIS STORY AT HUFFINGTONPOST.COM
Continue reading AP: Rough Seas From Hurricane Alex 2010 Pushing Oil Closer To Gulf Coast Beaches
 Disputes last month, resulting in public accusations on both sides, were set aside this week as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Hamid Karzai emphasized a strong bilateral relationship. The two were also quick to note that policy disagreements do not suggest volatility in the relationship.
Mrs. Clinton reassured Afghan ministers that the U.S. was committed to Afghanistan’s long-term progress even after the withdrawal of U.S. troops and complimented Karzai on his attempt to fight government corruption.
This stands in contrast to the persistent differences of opinion within the Obama administration about how much or how publicly to push Karzai to address corruption within his own government, an issue that some argue Karzai has not taken seriously.
READ THIS STORY AT WSJ.COM
Continue reading The Wall Street Journal: Karzai, Clinton Emphasize Ties
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