Can the situation in Iraq be solved, or significantly improved, without the U.S. seeking direct Iranian and Syrian political assistance?

Dr. Ottaway:
"The issue is not 'assistance.' Syria and Iran haveno interest in assisting the US, that is in helping the United States achieve goals it defines. Iran and Syria have a legitimate interest in what happens across their borders in Iraq, just as the United States has a legitimate interest in what happens in Mexico. The question is whether the interests of Syria, Iran, and the United States can be reconciled to some extent. The purpose of enaging in talks with Syria and Iran is to explore the issues where interests overlap and those where they diverge."

Dr. Bahry:
"Yes, if you have people who understand the problem and people who want to be statesmen and act like statesmen. But with the situation in Iraq now, we don't have such people. So you have the involvement of people with ethnic and sectarian interests."