WE'RE SHOCKED, SHOCKED – AT 10:43 A.M. ET:  Does the president of the United States understand what the term "no progress" means?  We certainly hope so.  From Reuters:

The UN nuclear watchdog and Iran failed at talks on Friday to unblock a probe into suspected atom bomb research by the Islamic state, a setback dimming any chances for success in higher-level negotiations between Iran and major powers later this month.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, using unusually pointed language, said no progress had been made in the talks aimed at sealing a deal on resuming the IAEA's long-stalled investigation, and it described the outcome as "disappointing."

The setback came just a few weeks after UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano said he had won assurances from senior Iranian officials in Tehran that an agreement would be struck soon.

Herman Nackaerts, the IAEA's global head of inspections, said after the eight-hour meeting at IAEA headquarters in Vienna that no date for further discussions on the matter had been set.

The IAEA had been pressing Tehran for an accord that would give its inspectors immediate access to the Parchin military complex, where it believes explosives tests relevant for the development of nuclear arms have taken place and suspects Iran may now be cleaning the site of any incriminating evidence.

COMMENT:  The talks with Iran have failed.  There is absolutely no sign of any progress whatever.  A Western diplomat is quoted by Reuters as saying,   "It should by now be clear to everyone that Iran is not negotiating in good faith."

What a shock.

But there seems to be no sense of urgency in Washington, where President Obama is planning his next fundraiser.  Foreign policy has become a casualty of his presidential campaign.  "Don't rock any boats" seems to be our fighting slogan.

And the whole world is noticing.

June 9,  2012