With Allies Like These, Who Needs Enemies

It's true; Our Leaders are succeeding in reforming the Middle East.

Just not in any way that makes it safer, reduces terrorism, or helps our allies.

Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, signalled his determination to counter US global power yesterday by meeting his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai, in a demonstration of growing Iranian influence in Afghanistan.The visit - Mr Ahmadinejad's first to Afghanistan, where the US, Britain and other western powers are engaged in a bitter struggle with the Taliban - is certain to alarm the Bush administration, which accuses Tehran of destabilising its efforts and claims the Taliban is being armed with Iranian weapons. * *

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The trip came just a week after Mr Karzai, a key US ally, clashed publicly with President Bush about the nature of Iran's involvement. Addressing a joint White House press conference last week, Mr Bush said: "I would be very cautious about whether or not the Iranian influence in Afghanistan is a positive force." Mr Karzai flatly contradicted him by describing Iran as "a helper and a solution".

Way more here.