Change We Can Believe In

Two moves from the executive branch intrigued and encouraged me this week.

First, the White House changed direction and decided to send a representative to talks with Iran and others about the Iranian nuclear program.

Second, the U.S. and Iraq agreed to a “general time horizon,” certainly not a time frame, time table or deadline, certainly not, but a “horizon” for drawing down U.S. troops , as the Iraqis are insisting. (Update: Apparently, the Prime Minister Maliki thinks that "horizon" is a lot closer than 100 years from now.)

Tough, multilateral, diplomatic engagement with enemies to exert soft-power, achieve security ends and avoid war?

Cooperating with the Iraqi government to plan for troop withdrawals?

Yes, we can.