I've noticed here at TPM we have great coverage of Israel and Israeli politics.  I love the discourse and love the authors contributions.  They are usually always thought provoking, salient and provide informed comments.

What I don't see around here are many posts about the other Arab countries.  There was just an election in Lebanon where Hezbollah took a bit of an unexpected beating.  Of course what is currently going on in Iran.  The state of affairs in Pakistan is very troubling/concerning.  And Turkey definitely merits coverage in terms of their clout in the region and how they are a bridge between Europe and the Middle-east.  I think covering what is going on in the region might give some context into better understanding and discussing a whole host of regional issues.  Now I'm not talking about the main TPM site.  I think Josh has been doing a great job staying on top of the post election unrest in Iran.  I am talking about Cafe contributors.

Are there bloggers out there who could provide us with some expertise on the whole region who might be willing/could be asked to contribute here?  And preferably people who currently reside or have lived in the countries in the recent past.  It is a very complex, fascinating and important region of the world to keep up to speed on.  Thoughts anyone?  I would love to see and welcome it.

If it is true that there was widespread and massive fraud in the Iranian elections I think the US, through the auspices of the UN, should push for international review to check the legitimacy of the results. 

If the election was fixed it is a serious misstep for the ruling mullahs in Iran.  It damages the credibility of a government it appears the Iranian people are growing tired of.  If the current regime in Tehran can be taken down by the Iranian people themselves before their current government's nuclear aspirations come to fruition it would be a best case scenario.  This is a golden opportunity to weaken a regime, and hasten its demise, without US forces having to fire a single shot.  And if the US can push this issue with the UN and the world on behalf of the Iranian people. I don't think it would be viewed as US meddling by the Iranian people but as a welcome assist.  And probably even engender a higher level of goodwill towards the US from the Iranian people.

The US, through President Obama's Inauguration Address and his speech in Cairo, extended our hand to the Iranian people and the Iranian people weren't allowed to unclench their fist and grasp that hand even though they wanted to.  This is definitely a case where a wrong should be attempted to be righted...and keep extending our hand to them and let them be safe in the knowledge that we know they tried to reciprocate.  Eventually they will push aside what is preventing them from taking the first small step in the journey they want to take on what will still be a long path to peace.