The first debate--Iran

McCain argues that a nuclear-armed Iran would be a regional threat, and an existential one to Israel. McCain invokes his "league of democracies" that could bypass the UN Security Council. I don't think he's been that clear on whom he'd bring in and who he wouldn't. India isn't likely to fall in behind McCain's foreign policy; would he then exclude the world's most populous democracy? He also raised the disputed charge of Iranian IEDs in Iraq. Again, he doesn't mention Iran's influence with the Maliki government. Obama makes a good reply about how going into Iraq has done more to strengthen Iran then anything else.

Obama agrees that we need tougher sanctions but points out that Russian and Chinese support are necessary to have an effective sanctions regime. He also argued that direct diplomacy with Iran must be part of the approach. McCain argued that sitting with Ahmedinejad would legitimize him and his threats to exterminate Israel.

Emphasis on Obama's statement to not have preconditions. Obama made an interesting point that Kissinger, a McCain advisor, supported that position. He also mentioned that there was a difference between not having preconditions and not having preparations in the form of lower level talks and that his position didn't just entail an immediate summit.

McCain goes a bit overboard by arguing that meeting with Ahmedinejad would somehow be dangerous--not just unwise.