The article by the AP is telling. It starts out possibly misleading, saying Iraq is slipping closer to civil war. It is hard to tell whether the writer of the article is in Iraq or spent any time there. I question the authority to make such a statement.

However the rest of the article is worth reading, twice. Iran has offered to begin talks with the US about Iraq. As the article quotes, this could lead to easing of tensions, and more talks later about Iran's nuclear program.

Let us hope the Iran offer is not a calculated, "give an inch and take it back" ploy as it was with Iraq prior to 2003.

What is even more impressive is Iran as asked to speak directly with the United States and China/Russia both encouraged Iran to do so!

This could be the most important event yet in this year's accumulating history.