WORLD NEWS: "Key Iran Adviser Gains Obama's Ear," by Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal, 18 June 2009.

Dennis Ross is arguably the right guy for now: he wants direct talks and wants to go right to the Supreme Leader, but he's pretty vigorous with the sticks and is largely trusted by the Jewish-American community. Given the way this whole tumult has made the Supreme Leader look weak, that's a pretty good mix for our side. Guy can basically say, "Listen, I want to deal and you know you should deal. But if you don't, don't expect us to hold off Israel." Like I said in last week's Esquire.com piece, I like the dynamics as they're unfolding here. Obama shouldn't leap out in front. He should wait and capitalize on dynamics as they appear. The unrest in Iran is merely the set-up for greater possibilities. But no, I still don't think it can overwhelm the government in Tehran right now or any time soon. I see a long, Solidarnosc-like struggle here. We are at the beginning of the end here. Focusing on human rights for now is just fine.