What should Olmert tell Bush when they meet on Wednesday?

Rarely has the combined unpopularity -- in their respective countries if not on each other’s soil -- of an Israeli prime minister and an American president been so great. But it would be a mistake to write off this week’s Olmert-Bush meeting as without potential, even if it is likely to be without result.

Olmert should make this meeting matter by proposing a change of direction that could outlive both leaders’ remaining tenure in office. Olmert points out a rather unavoidable truth: the prospects for Bush’s two-state vision for Israelis and Palestinians, as well as his vision of more democratic and secure region, depend on preventing the current Iranian regime from becoming a nuclear power.

The U.S. has been linking Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy to Iran, but in the wrong direction. Sure, solving the conflict would be a blow to Iran, but that’s a bit like saying putting out one fire is a blow to a pyromaniac.

Ultimately, the only way to stop a rash of fires is to stop the pyromaniac. Plus, it’s near impossible to put out a particular fire if, on the other side of the burning building, the pyromaniac is busy pouring fuel on the flames.

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