If Iran gets a nuke . . .

In 2003, Iran signalled the Bush Administration that it was willing to negotiate an end to its arming of fundamentalist militant groups in Lebanon and Palestine, help stabilize post-invasion Iraq, and negotiate a verifiable end to its nuclear weapons program.

What became of Iran's offer? The Bush Administration refused even to sit down and talk.

"But as soon as it got to the White House, and as soon as it got to the Vice-President's office, the old mantra of 'We don't talk to evil'... reasserted itself."

And what has happened since then?

Iraq has turned into an epic disaster, Hezbollah's power and influence has grown tremendously, Hamas controls the Palestinian government, and Iran's nuclear fuel enrichment program is approaching the mass production-stage.

And what does the Bush Administration want Iran to do now?

Observers say the Iranian offer as outlined nearly four years ago corresponds pretty closely to what Washington is demanding from Tehran now.

Ugh.