President-elect Barack Obama has already achieved a rhetorical break with the arrogant, pompous and rather totalitarian language of the outgoing George W. Bush administration. Thus, a new grammar is being presented in which the United States is re-invented as a particularly inclusive and exceptional place where everything is possible.

Irans insistence on enriching uranium in defiance of three U.N. Security Council resolutions, combined with a bevy of antagonistic threats aimed at Israels existence has created an explosive recipe that may well precipitate a horrifying regional conflagration. For Irans own best interests, its contentious leaders would be well advised to tone down their anti-Israeli threats, which have not been taken lightly thus far, and find a diplomatic solution to Irans suspected nuclear weapons program.

The recent compromise on power sharing in Lebanon spares the country further bloodshed and allows its people to return to a modicum of normalcy. However, the underlying causes of the conflict remain, and Lebanon continues to be an arena where external powers play out their rivalries. Unless and until Syria and the United States reach a grand bargain, the Lebanese will continue to pay the price.

AMMAN -- Iran continued to flex its military muscles by test-firing missiles and weapons for a second straight day Thursday, sending the message that it is capable of defending itself against any possible U.S. or Israeli attacks, in a move that has raised tension but could very well deter a confrontation.

JERUSALEM -- Both Israel and the United States appear to be on the same page in regard to a pending attack on Iran, as they worry about the Islamic republics ability to build a nuclear arsenal with the Jewish state as a possible target.

Iran Reinstates Khomeinis Son: Sign of Reform?

Brushing up on Iranians:

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has, in one form or another, managed to keep Iran in the headlines since his election in 2005; though not always in a positive manner.

The sharp criticism of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad by an Iranian newspaper close to Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has understandably attracted world-wide attention.

Irans parliament has launched a new initiative to promote Iranian and Islamic fashion, with MPs driven by the fear of a "cultural invasion" and inspired by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.