UNBELIEVABLE, AND DISGRACEFUL - AT 12:02 P.M. ET:  There are several stories floating around this morning that point out that the U.S. is now taking a softer line on Iran than are the Europeans.  The Israeli press is reporting that the U.S. will actually oppose European ideas for new sanctions on Iran:

The United States is opposed to enacting a new set of financial sanctions against Iran that are due to be discussed in the G8 summit next week, diplomatic officials in New York reported Friday.

According to officials, sanctions against Iran are expected to top the G8's agenda. Sources are also predicting a pointed debate between the heads of the industrialized nations over an appropriate response to Iranian authorities' suppression of reformist demonstrations in Iran led by Mir Hossein Mousavi and other Iranian opposition leaders.

But...

...diplomatic sources in New York reported that American officials are working behind the scenes to prevent new sanctions from being imposed against Iran.

U.S. officials claimed that a tough stance toward Iran could backfire, bringing about an opposite outcome to that desired by those who support such measures.

The Obama administration, according to the diplomatic sources, has discarded the notion of direct talks with Iran. However, the United States is still interested in re-engaging Iran through the renewed discussion of its nuclear program through the six permanent United Nations Security Council members.

COMMENT:  Yeah, right.  Those U.N. talks are certainly likely to succeed. 

This is disgraceful.  Imagine being a freedom fighter in Iran and looking at the United States right now.  What do you see?  You see a confused administration far more concerned about a tinhorn power grabber being constitutionally removed in Honduras than about the threat from Iran.

An old game of appeasers is to claim that tough actions bring about an opposite reaction from what is intended.  Any evidence of that with Iran?  I really don't think so.

If this report is borne out by events, we are in more serious trouble than I'd thought.

July 3, 2009