Yes, you are the only discordant voice in a chorus of approval!

but come to think of it, I’m not exactly clear what your critique is here. Is it that Iran is both co-operating with Karazai’s administration (as Al Q says) and the Taliban (as Tony claimed – and that’s bad and our fault) or is it that Iran could be an ally in Afghanistan but we keep treating it as a supporter of terrorism (and that’s dumb) or something else? Who are the enemies being divided and the friends united (or enemies united and friends being divided)? Sorry for being obtuse.

Christ that really is Obtuse. Follow the link to your CiF article, and all is made clear ….. what a chump

if any kind editor is inclined to delete both these comments, I’d like that!

Luis – fair enough criticism actually. I could have been clearer by stating that the US/UK policy alienated France and Germany (and most of the rest of the world) as well as Pakistani democrats and reform-minded Iranians (Mohammad Khatamani was Iran’s President at the time).

And what did it achieve?

Hi Conor, but you’re quoting Tony Blair there… if anyone is still willing to listen to Tony Blair’s pronouncements on foreign policy then they should be put into a mental institute. Or no let near govt policy.

David Miliband and Timothy Garton Ash – to name but two

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/07/foreignpolicy.military

And what a difference six years makes

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/09/usforeignpolicy.pakistan

If Bush and Blair had spent a little bit less time obsessing about Iran while “admiring the strong leadership of President Musharraf” they would have seen that the Pakistani ISI were re-creating the Taliban under their noses.

Heh. I have to say, you have a great memory at picking up and remembering what people have said in the past. You’d be great as an advisor to the Daily Show.

Good point about David Miliband – not really a big fan of current foreign policy. Though I don’t see it improving either under the Tories.