In his article for the ePluribus Media Journal, Adam Lambert takes a close look at relations between the US and Iran -- what might have been vs what the situation is today.

Iran made several attempts at diplomatic outreach towards the US in 2001, 2002 and 2003, but the Bush administration made the decision to rebuff and ignore these gestures and Iran quickly became an enemy of the Bush administration. One consequence of these decisions was the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as President as the more moderate leadership in Iran was pushed aside.

However, there is another side to this story, and another large consequence to the United States and its economy, as well as its energy policy (both current and future). And as a result of this gamble by the Bush administration, Iran has taken the opportunity to strengthen its position in the global economy, all while the US economy has floundered, its standing and influence in the world has decreased, and it is being shut out of a growing global alliance with respect to much of the world’s oil.

Recently, while going through an airport during one of his many trips, President Bush encountered a man with long gray hair and beard, wearing a white robe and sandals, holding a staff.

President Bush went up to the man and said, 'Has anyone told you that you look like Moses?'

The man didn't answer. He just kept staring straight ahead.

The president said, 'Moses!' in a loud voice.

The man just stared ahead, never acknowledging the president.

George Bush is holding a Middle East Peace Summit at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland this week with only thirteen months left in his Administration. Why anyone might consider this a break through in the peace process for that part of the world is beyond my comprehension.