Talking with the enemy

President Bush said today that "Iran and Syria need to follow through on pledges to help Iraq." Many have been advocating for months, even years, that the US involve Iraq's neighbors in the process of restoring order in the chaotic land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Bush relented only recently because most of his administration's other efforts have fallen short.

Diplomacy doesn't solve all problems, but it is a viable option and one that should be completely exhausted before taking up arms. Bush & Co. don't much care for it, however. They see talking as a sign of weakness. Threats and bombs are more in line with their feelings of machismo.

Meanwhile, Gen. David Petraeus, the top US commander on the ground in Iraq, said just the other day that groups that feel alienated in that country need to be brought into the talks as well.