Real or Plastic Olive Branch

US President Obama Barrack hands the olive branch to Iran in a move to seek "the promise of a new beginning," appealing to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic since taking office on Jan 20.

His major shift seems to overlook Iran's hard line stance and former president George Bush's isolation policy - targetting new grounds based on mutual respect and concerns - that does not take into account previously irreconciliable differences.

How he hopes to bridge this divide is yet to be seen, but he is banking on the noble intents of a great civilisation - that is, if Iran chooses do demonstrate this "true greatness."

And should Iran agree to continue down that path of nuclear progress, with the promise to build rather than destroy, would that agreement itself be enough, and how would this progress be moderated should it's final end lead to anything but destruction - particularly that of Israel?

Bearing in mind, Obama's departure from Bush's "cowboy diplomacy" is not accompanied by any specifics as yet; on the contrary, it is punctuated by his sombre acknowledge of the dire situation that "won't be resolved easily."

Can peace be achieved when it is tied to the existence of Israel's future?

Will this be the pre-cursor to an attempt that will turn awry?

Or it is simply one insignificant gesture that may slip into nothing by the end of Obama's first 100 days in power.