OP-ED: Iran's China Option, By ROGER COHEN, New York Times, February 8, 2009

This is Roger Cohen at his very best. Very sophisticated and nuanced analysis, and a clear prescription that I agree with and have stated myself in many interviews: dial down the rhetoric and confrontation and let the best possible outcome emerge in the June election. May Israel's foray into Gaza screw that pooch? Definitely. But it may fade quite a bit by June.

But the bottom line for us remains: we can't infect their system unless it opens up. We don't need glasnost or perestroika, just enough confidence and fear on Tehran's side to normalize relations with us on any level. We need to deny them the big devil while oil is cheap and mobilize our one serious weapon in this struggle: the pissed-off and disappointed Iranian people.

But again, brilliant piece by Cohen.

(Thanks: Dan Hare)