Meanwhile, the mullahs and the other terror masters in the region quite sensibly continue to wage war against us. At the recent meetings in Tehran between a Syrian delegation led by President Bashar Assad and the Iranians, including Supreme Leader Khamenei and top deputies including strongman Rafsanjani, the head of intelligence Yunesi, several leading officials of the Revolutionary Guards, and Foreign Minister Kharazi, the two sides agreed on five key points:

• A common strategy involving Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah to thwart American plans for the democratization of the Middle East;

  Coordination of joint operations against the Coalition and the interim government in Iraq;

  Coordination of political strategy to influence groups and countries that oppose the American presence in Iraq;

  Planning for revenge should Israel attack Iranian nuclear, chemical or missile sites, or Syria's chemical and missile sites, or Hezbollah bases;

  Full cooperation to prevent the reelection of President Bush, including all possible measures (such as sabotage of oil pipelines and terminals) to drive up the price of oil.

Iran must be dealt with forcefully, and soon.  They will only understand a demonstration of strength.  I hope the US will do something soon, but I fear it won't happen until after the election, and will never happen if Kerry is elected.  But if we wait until Tehran demonstrates a successful nuclear weapon, it will be too late.