Sorry. Advice time again. I know, I know. Generals always fight the last war. Still, not learning from what went wrong the last war is just as bad.

This time the US should learn from what went wrong with the Six party talks with North Korea. American participation in those talks let China off the hook and kept the limelight on US -North Korean relations. The result - to get China moving, Japan and the US had to rattle its cage. Unnecessary.
Had the US not participated, China would have had to demonstrate its ability to influence its client or see its helplessness exposed and erode its growing influence in Asia.

The same will apply to the other free rider - the EU and specifically Germany. They want the US to join the talks, so that they can avoid responsibility for their failure to influence Iran. Indeed, it will enable them to blame the US (not enough carrots for the Mullahs) instead of Iran and they will not have to face the evidence of their ongoing failure to deal with the former Yugoslavia. (See, EUROPEAN FAILURE TURNED "BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA INTO A GATEWAY FOR TERRORISM")

If the EU wants to be listened to it has to demonstrate that it is willing to act. The place to cooperate with the EU is in getting Syria out of Lebanon.
Already Chirac accused of leading Anti-Syria battle. And today Bush and Chirac call for"free" Lebanon

Good. Let's see if he can take the heat and stand by his martyred friend. The Lebanese are trying. Let's not leave them hanging!

Anti-Syria protest in Beirut

Chanting "Syria out," thousands of people packed the streets of Beirut on Monday to protest against Syrian forces in Lebanon.

Britain Hints At Syrian Involvement In Killing

Arab League Claims Syria to Pull Troops Out of Lebanon

The Iranians do not wish to fall behind. Is it possible that it will be the Kurds who were first to demonstrate that Iraqis can have a functional democracy be the one's who lead the way in Syria and Iran? After all, they understand that they are destined to remain a minority and, as such, their rights can only be secured in a democracy.

Over 50 Kurds Go On Hunger Strike In Syrian Jail
Riots rock three Kurdish towns in Iran