Condi is not a fool. If this can be resolved diplomatically (real diplomacy, not handwaving for public consumption), then by all means defeat them without a shot - as Sun-Tsu advocated long ago. Going “hot” makes a biiiiig mess. This exercise may have been a demonstration of capabilities, intended to convince others “don’t go there”.
With respect, Condi Rice has demonstrated beyond all question that she is most assuredly a fool. If she had been able to have her way this "demonstration" would not have happened at all.
I reserve judgement on whether she is a certified fool. The evidence so far is not promising, however...
Certainly Master Sun is quite correct. He always has been. It is important to look at other lessons to see that it is never good to leave your enemies intact. Condi is attempting to make agreements to which we are bound, and they are not monitored, which is as much as saying they are not bound, for no reason other than seemingly to have “an Agreement.” Thus, a zero-sum game with Western Civilization as the chumps.
Supposing I am entirely wrong and she does forge an Agreement that serves to end the ambitions of DPRK, Iran, Syria in the nuclear realm (I do not believe for a second that this will happen), what happens on 21 January 2009? Will President Hillary and her new Secretary of State Sandy Berger be as uncompromising?
Would the game of DPRK, Iran, Syria be Mao’s old gambit? Fight, talk. Talk, fight? It is the precise way to attack a democracy and, considering the traitors and fools which make up the rats and their allies in the MSM, a most effective one.
Condi’s game may be in the manner of Master Sun’s lesson of “always leave a way of retreat for your enemy” in that we are with the one hand smacking their nose and with the other showing them the way to not being smacked again. However, this strategy has a time limit and an effectiveness horizon of however long it is until Hillary takes the Oath. Then they are free to do as they wish.
Were there a credible belief that the rats are aware and prepared to deal with external threats to Western Civilization, diplomacy would be a viable option to going “hot.” Sadly, repeated examples of a complete inability to deal with or even recognize these threats is the standard of the rats.
We live in interesting times...