Cheney's middle east tour

Cheney met with Saudi King Abdullah yesterday. Nothing was announced (or leaked) and the photo op was intentionally empty of message.

However, today it comes out that the US has requested contact with Iran at the ambassadorial level in Baghdad.

This is certainly the right move, but after all the hardline "no talks" posturing, this now looks like a climbdown leaving the US position weaker.

(They could've used the ISG for political cover and done the same thing in a stronger position 6 months ago.)

Also, is this a dig by King Abdullah?

Neither Cheney nor the Saudi king spoke to reporters after their talks, but they did pose for several photo opportunities and made small talk, with the ruler asking after former US president George Bush.

Is it odd that this didn't come up during the greetings or at the meeting, but instead the Saudi king waited until they were in front of the reporters and cameras to inquire about Bush Sr?

The Bush he likes......?