FROM IM TO EX ON THE PLICIT FRONT:

U.S., Iran to hold talks on Iraq: Washington wants to focus on reining in the insurgency. Tehran agrees to the agenda but may have broader aims. (Ramin Mostaghim and Louise Roug, May 14, 2007, LA Times)

The U.S. and Iran will hold rare meetings within the next few weeks in Baghdad to discuss the insurgency in Iraq, officials from the two nations said Sunday.

The talks, to be conducted between the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad and Iranian officials, would be the highest-level negotiations acknowledged between the two countries in recent years. The announcement suggested a new willingness on the part of the Bush administration to reach out to a longtime foe.

Tough to keep folks with common interests apart forever.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 14, 2007 12:00 AM