Veteran journalist Thomas Ricks runs a blog on the Foreign Policy journal's website. It's worth looking at.
I found this entry of interest. He asks "an American friend" in Baghdad what Iran is up to there. The answer offers a number of useful insights. First, it's a quick and clear overview of regional relations (maybe a bit dense for beginners). Second, it's a rational assessment of the most Iran is "up to." Third, given the last sentence of the letter, it is clear the friend's perspective is one of realpolitik and is protective of US influence in the region; in other words, this is what Iran looks like through sober, businesslike eyes.
The Iran presented to the American public is a cartoonish monster seeking the world's destruction. Much like after 9/11, those who "educate American opinion" can create anything out of nothing on account of the population not being able to think for itself on these subjects. Iran since 1979 has always been useful in this regard.
The White House has correctly not moved at the pace Israel - namely, Prime Minister Netanyahu - desires. Though the fact that Iran is treated as a major security issue is reprehensible. Recent reports in the New York Times of possible one-on-one talks between Washington and Tehran in the near future (likely requiring an Obama victory) signal a potential change in course. Whether the talks come to be is another matter. And what they might produce is anyone's guess.
http://ricks.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/10/17/what_iran_is_up_to_in_iraq_an_assessment_of_its_long_range_shaping_operations
