IRAN DEFIANT - AT 7:13 P.M. ET:  Iran is escalating its conflict with the civilized world, as The New York Times reports:

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran approved plans Sunday to build 10 industrial scale uranium enrichment facilities, a dramatic expansion of the program in defiance of U.N. demands it halt enrichment and a move that is likely to significantly heighten tensions with the West.

The decision comes only days after the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency censured Iran over its program and demanded it halt the construction of a newly revealed enrichment facility. The West has signaled it is running out of patience with Iran's continuing enrichment and its balking at a U.N. deal aimed at ensuring Tehran cannot build a nuclear weapon in the near-term future. The U.S. and its allies have hinted at new U.N. sanctions if Iran does not respond.

The White House responded with its usual mush:

The White House said the move ''would be yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and another example of Iran choosing to isolate itself.''

COMMENT:  Negotiations with Iran have failed, utterly and completely.  The Iranians have dribbled the ball into Mr. Obama's court.  Iran and Afghanistan are coming due at the same time.  And the president's own party in Congress won't support anything but an appeasement policy.

Welcome to 2010.  We've all heard the old Chinese curse:  "May you live in interesting times."  The times are getting very interesting.

November 29, 2009