Iran showing off ass. DBI

Sunday's Daily Briefing on Iran.
Iran sets conditions for talks with U.S. on Iraq.

• Washington Post reported that Iran will only hold direct talks with the United States on Iraq if Washington announces plans to pull its troops out.

Iran Reacts Favorably to the Baker-Hamilton Plan.

• Time Magazine reported that the Iranian government has responded more positively than the Bush Administration has to the Iraq Study Group's proposal for talks.

Iran Expands Uranium Enrichment Program.

• MyWayNews.com reported that Ahmadinejad said that Iran has begun installing 3,000 centrifuges in an expansion of its uranium enrichment program that brings the Islamic nation significantly closer to large-scale production of nuclear fuel.

Ahmadinejad May Be Heading for His First Major Political Defeat.

• Amir Taheri, Arab News reported that Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran may be heading for his first major political defeat at home. In fact, some analysts in Tehran expect his defeat to be so decisive as to puncture the super-inflated image.

Iran taunts the West with Holocaust debate.

• The Times Online reported that Iran will open a conference tomorrow questioning whether the Holocaust — in which millions of Jews and other minorities were killed by the Nazis — really happened.

Palestinian PM Vows to Keep Fighting Thanks to Iran.

• Gulf News reported that Palestinian Prime Minister Esmail Haniya told Iranians yesterday that Palestinians would never bow to pressure to recognise Israel and would keep fighting thanks in part to support from Iran.

Rice skeptical of reaching out to Iran and Syria.

• The Jerusalem Post reported that Condoleezza Rice voiced skepticism on Friday over a bipartisan panel's recommendation that the US seek Iran and Syria's help in stabilizing Iraq, saying they should want to take such steps on their own.

Baker-Hamilton Won't Stop Beltway Bloodshed.

• Daniel Henninger, Real Clear Politics argued that the Iraq Study Group's primary purpose wasn't saving Iraq from catastrophe but saving the political system of the United States from catastrophe.
• Foreign Policy In Focus argued that with the Democrats' new control, their close ties with AIPAC and the Israeli government are already causing problems. The Democrats won the election on a platform of getting the United States out of Iraq , but AIPAC and the current Kadima-Labor government strongly support that war.

Here are three news items you may have missed.

• Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat reviewed the new regional balance of power in the Persian Gulf and Iran 's strategy to become the regional power.
• The Business Online reported that the Saudi government is in talks to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from the French.
• Cox & Forkum published another cartoon: Then & Now.

Thank you, Doctor Zin and Team, for bringing us this news. We know how you work, and we appreciate it. Have a great day.