Has George W. Bush Saved Multilateralism?

I wrote that headline just for Angus and Aaron . . . . This interesting Iran update from Dr. Zin seems to suggest that things are starting to work that way, however:

It is being reported that later today the US will also offer trade incentives to Iran to end their nuclear enrichment programs. In exchange, the Europeans have agreed to send Iran to the UN Security Council if their negotiations fail. And once again, Iran flatly refuses to end its nuclear enrichment programs.

Now, if both Europe and the U.S. stick to that deal, and they really impose serious sanctions against Iran after Iran fails to agree in good faith to give up its nuke program, then the U.N. could impose absolutely crippling sanctions on Iran. Iran could never make it without the ability to ship oil out of Abadan to Europe . . . especially when it’s already under severe economic and political pressure. This could actually work.

So my question for afficionados of Carter, Clinton, and Kofi, is just this–would a real diplomatic solution to Iran’s nukes have been possible with more feckless and toothless diplomacy, or without the example of Iraq?

Diplomacy without the backing of force is better known as “begging.”