> Israel was left out of this meeting lest its presence offend Iran
> and the Arab countries.

That there is offense, shows continued hatred and degeneracy in those other countries (often echoed by too many, normally, on the Left in the West).

In this case, though, I would be worried and in fact there’s a valid alternative explanation. Liars often state that the Israel-Palestinian conflict (what they mean is the existence of Israel, were they to be accurate) is the cause of every problem in the Middle East and affects everything else conceivable. Hence those with dark motives would want to “link” Israel to any other large peace effort having nothing to do with Israel. (The notorious Iraq Study Group with F-the-Jews Saudi-hired James Baker exemplified this.) Israel has absolutely nothing to do with Iraqi violence and if Israel is not an issue in these talks (the source of more prodding to make more one-way concessions and continue to be treated by the US and West as the Czechs were in 1938), when this was originally sought, that is good (at least in good people’s eyes).

As to one earlier remark:

> dialogue is better than no dialogue at all

False. There needs to be a purpose for dialogue and a justification for it. If Iran is going to be like the Syrians routinely are (agree with everything, say whatever the Americans want to hear, then continue doing whatever they, the Syrians want), or if the Iranians are going to be more dishonest than ever, if they are not going to make the concessions long owed others — why waste the time? (The US shouldn’t.)

My concern is that the US diplomatic team has shown itself to be both incompetent and too ignorant to work in this area. Also, our government opposes Israeli talks with its enemies. Israel was left out of this meeting lest its presence offend Iran and the Arab countries.

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Joost Hiltermann says:

“…it is bringing together neighbors who despite their differences want to see some good come to Iraq.”

Mr. Hiltermann must be incredibly naive if he thinks all of Iraq’s neighbors want good to come to it.