One of the things I like most about the blog world is having direct access to the people who make and shape history. Before the InterTubes, the best we could do was 3 minute snippets of commentary on TV news or the occasional magazine article, but now with blogs like AustinBay.net, Belmont Club and Thomas Barnett's blog, we can get the straight scoop on what's going on from some of the smartest minds out there. And via Barnett's site is this fascinating article on how Iraq's Shi'ites may hold the key to a free(r) Iran.

"... some Iranians are intrigued by the more freewheeling experiment in Shi'ite empowerment taking place across the border in Iraq, where — Iraq's myriad problems aside — imams can say whatever they want in political Friday sermons, newspapers and satellite channels regularly slam the government, and religious observance is respected and encouraged but not required."

We can only hope so.