Optimism Drops In for a Fleeting Visit

There's an interesting article in the International Herald Tribune from the Boston Globe about the shared interest Iran and the US have in preventing Iraq from collapsing in on itself. The article suggests that if they're going to have any hope of working together on this issue, both states will have to compromise or offer something meaningful in return for the support and cooperation of the other.

An issue close to my heart is the role of morality in foreign policy. Morality is a slippery concept and one that cannot easily be defined. Hans Morgethau said one of the smartest things regarding this issue:

"There can be no political morality without prudence; that is, without consideration of the political consequences of seemingly moral action."

Publicly the actions of the US have been anything but prudent. One hopes, however, that the need to stabilise Iraq is of such national importance to both the US and Iran that it could promote some degree of prudence in their dealings with each other, despite public hot headedness. And name calling. And the waving of nuclear weapons in each other's face.

I know I'm being slightly naive here. I do have occasional moments of wordly optimism before I beat it back down with a stick called Realism and trundle off to kick another wall.