Two political earthquakes hit the United States this week – the Democrats took control of Congress and Rumsfeld was replaced by Robert Gates. There is much speculation as to whether this can help create an opening to Iran. But to make headway on the Iranian nuclear issue, or on Iraq, the two issues need to be linked – something Bush and Rumsfeld have refused to do thus far.
The big screw up in Iraq is that it turned Iran into the regional power. One reason GHWB did not depose Sadam is because he needed Iraq to keep Iran in check.
