My discovery that former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami is a founding member of the UN's Alliance of Civilizations (AOC) set alarms sounding. In fact, the reason Khatami has been in America is so he could attend the AOC's recent High Level Group meeting in New York City. Why were alarms sounding? Because, the AOC was the idea of  Spanish Prime Minister José Rodriguez Zapatero. And, Zapatero and the EU's Javier Solana are closely associated. For example, take a look at this frame from my PowerPoint presentation.

On the right you see Solana out front leading the twenty-five EU heads to their signing of the EU's new constitution in October of 2004. Notice which EU head is walking directly behind Solana -- Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero. Now, on the left notice what EU member state will hold the EU presidency in 2010. If you are a regular reader at FP, you are aware of this date's possible significance. But, more on that later. For now let's get back to the reason for my alarm over learning about Khatami's connection to the AOC.

As I write it's being reported that Solana's talks with Iran's chief negotiator may be finally paying off  Read about it here. As you know, the eyes and hopes of the world have been -- like it or not -- on Solana. There's no question that the US doesn't like it. The US wants the UN to immediately seek sanctions against Iran. But, now that a breakthrough -- no matter how small -- is being announced, the US may have no choice but to continue waiting on Solana. 

Now, here's the reason for my alarm. The AOC appears to be Solana's 1995 Barcelona Process going global. Evidently, Iran's Khatami is on board. Khatami is seen by many in the West as an example of an Islamic moderate Read about him here. And, most ironically, this leaves Iran's current president, Islamic extremist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Read about him here, as one of the primary reasons for the West wanting the AOC in the first place. Are you getting the picture? Could we be seeing a bad cop good cop strategy being employed by Iran? Could Iran's ultimate goal be prompting the West into joining with them into an unholy alliance -- such as the AOC? Friends, I wouldn't be a bit surprised. After all, they say the game of Chess was invented by the Iranians.

If so, if bad cop good cop is what Iran is up to, it may also prove to be a golden opportunity for the EU's first High Representative. You see, in only a few more smart moves, Solana may find himself in a pretty good position too.

There go those alarms again!