What happens when you just talk to the people of a country that are labeled the axis of evil by the Bush regime? You find people are not so far apart on common issues. Interesting poll results follow. Most Iranians are opposed to terrorism and attacks on civilians and they have negative views of Al Qaeda and Bin Laden. Iranians and Americans feel that their cultures can find common ground and live in peace and are in favor of more dialogue between their countries.
So much for the inevitable neocon 'clash of civilization' theories. But I'm sure with enough Bush diplomacy, this window of opportunity can be closed for another generation of violence.
This was a major recommendation of the Iraq Study Group, talking with Iran and Syria instead of threatening them.
Of course governments don't represent ordinary people with ordinary peaceful views of the world.
































