My greatest source of frustration with the Iran issue revolves around yet another example of information operations. The vast majority of us acknowledge that Iran is pointedly seeking a nuclear weapons capacity. While transparent acquisition of weapons themselves would lend considerable prestige to Iranian ambitions for the role of pre-eminent spokes-nation of Islamic strategic aspirations, it could (and probably would)still be challenged by both Pakistan (possessors of said weapons) and Saudi Arabia (guardians of Islam's holiest sites). Thus there is, IMHO, less for Iran to gain by this approach than a more sublime and opaque pursuit of capacity.

Capacity, of course, is a cover. Assembly of these weapons is a minor extension once the knowledge base becomes technologically entrenched. Yet, as civilized governments worldwide mobilize their diplomatic efforts, this capability has taken a back seat to the actual possession of weapons. Understandable and, moreover, consistently positioned at the forefront of our discussion points as the logical endgame of this unfolding process.

Still, one will note the consistent drumbeat from Iran towards the world, but more notably to its own peoples, of their "natural right" to this capability under the NPT. While our diplomats have noted the aborgation of this "natural right" by the constant employment of duplicity and subterfuge tactics over an eighteen year period by Iran against IAEA inspections, we HAVE NOT, in my opinion, highlighted this position.

Namely, the past points clearly to the future. Iran's past activities in this regard makes IMPOSSIBLE any creditable inspections by the IAEA henceforth. Iranian ability to circumvent these inspections is a proven and exercised tactic, and will remain so.

As such, our argument must first be directed to the Iranian people. The civilized world has no desire to prevent Iran from a peaceful nuclear energy program. However inspection safeguards, as normally exercised, are no longer a valid means to affirm this goal. Iran, by its duplicity, has rendered null this "natural right" under NPT provisions. THIS point must lead any commentary by our leading diplomats, and the message must be pointed at both ours and the Iranian peoples. Over and over again. It must further be driven home repeatedly that the NPT WILL collapse should Iran continue its current path. Moreover, if that treaty holds any continuing importance to the world, including the Iranian people, it will be the Iranian theocrats who must bear the burden of its demise. The Iranian peoples must then be made aware that THEY will bear the burden of that consequence.

It is this central point that makes the Russian fuel offer still valid. It is also this point that thoroughly invalidates Iranian notions of legitimacy to their continued pursuit of nuclear capability. Finally, it is the ONLY means that I believe circumvents the Iranian gov't. ability to mobilize its population to the regime's cause. But as clear as that position seems, it appears to me that we haven't made that case to the Iranian people, nor our own. Doing so effectively will mobilize our populations, while separating the Iranian gov't. from theirs.

Instead the discussion has already moved to sanctions or air-strikes, both of which will rally the Iranian people while finding considerable resistance among the populations of all other concerned nations.

Let the mullahs wear the black hats for a change. They seem comfortable in black in any case.