Iran's Missiles

http://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/video/

1. There's a widely held belief that if, before the election, a foreign country (Iran) is acting aggressively towards us, or imminently threatens us, it will favor John McCain.
I think the model from which that prediction is made is out of date; it applies to the old style conservatives. Pundits are so used to saying it, that they believe it must be true.
I'm not sure it is. Much of the country is aching for the United States to respond to an international crisis with different tactics than George Bush has used in the last 7 years. John McCain's ideas are similar to George Bush's.
If Iran becomes a campaign issue, Barack Obama has an opportunity to 'shift the paradigm'. If he can allay people's fears, while at the same time present options, he would make a good impression.
The only reason people could still like John McCain's foreign policy ideas is if they're scared and don't have hope. That's what I think anyway.

2. Iraq vs Iran as a campaign issue: Iraq is a quagmire and there aren't as many options anymore. Iran is new and provides opportunity to 'nip it in the bud' if its handled correctly.
(From Tom Gjelten on Washington Week)

3. From Tom Gjelten on Washington Week:
This was 'send a message' week in the Middle East. Early in the week, US and British warships were doing maneuvers in the Persian Gulf, then Iran fired its missiles, Rice assured the world that we'd defend our allies and our interests.
Could it be that all these messages are a precursor to serious negotiations? Posturing always accompanies preparations for negotiation.
In fact, next weekend Iran will be meeting with the P5 (5 permanent members of the UN Security Council) plus Germany to discuss sanctions and uranium enrichment. The countries will offer to have no sanctions if Iran stops enriching uranium.
To add some other leverage to the pot, French oil company Total (sp?) said it would not pursue natural gas development in Iran. But, Iran needs that - they need that deal done and taken care of.
We'll see.