Not So Quiet on the Third Front

WP ^ | July 3, 2008 | Dana Milbank

[Schnucki]

The threats, counterthreats, and counter-counterthreats between Israel, Iran and the United States have reached new levels of hysteria in recent days. Israel openly threatens to attack Iran's nuclear program, Iran threatens to shut down oil-shipping lanes, and the commander of the U.S. fleet in the Persian Gulf, Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, says this would be an "act of war" requiring an American military response.

That was the backdrop yesterday as Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, faced the cameras in the Pentagon briefing room. Mullen, just back from a trip to Israel that further raised speculation about an Israeli attack, was asked whether Cosgriff's saber rattling would raise tensions with Iran.

"Actually," the chairman replied, "I think Admiral Cosgriff, who made that statement, is making an accurate statement."

Or, as John McCain might sing, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran."

The doldrums of the Fourth of July recess have been enlivened by fresh talk of another war. Is it a diplomatic bluff or a serious possibility? Perhaps some of each: Iran's foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, told the Associated Press yesterday that the possibility of an attack is "craziness" -- but, just in case, he also made sure in the same interview to speak about progress in negotiations with the West.

The administration, for its part, seems eager to convince Iran that President Bush is crazy enough to sanction an attack. In the Rose Garden yesterday, Brett Baier of Fox News asked Bush how confident he is that Israel won't launch a military attack on Iran before the end of the year. "I have always said that all options are on the table, but the first option for the United States is to solve this problem diplomatically," came Bush's mild reply.

[lexusppd]

"I have always said that all options are on the table, but the first option for the United States is to solve this problem diplomatically," came Bush's mild reply.

Speak softly and carry a big stick

[rrrod]

Well it seems I gotta solve another little problem for the guv.

As we all know the USAF has had a bit of bad turns latey, so in the interest of raising morale I suggest we let the USAF destroy Iran........

[mathluv]

W has always said they would not get a bomb. They better believe him. He is not a wimp like osamabama. (No wonder the dims and the terrorists support the big o.)

[iopscusa]

Dana Milbank, just another WaPo Commie writer...I don’t bother to read anything this rag prints. They always Lie in some form or fashion!

[johnny7]

Dana Milbank, just another WaPo Commie writer...

Yup... as are most of the top, broadsheet communists... or if you prefer, “columnists”.

[detective]

“Iran threatens to shut down oil-shipping lanes”

Things are a lot worse than most people realize. The Iranian and the other enemies of the US are just waiting until after the election and are hoping the Democrats will win.

[El Gato]

Speak softly and carry a big stick

For the most part we've beaten the big stick into aluminum foil.

But a few of the birds are left;

Very few we built 774 BUFFs, only 94 remain, we built over 2000 B-47s, none remain, we built 100 B-1Bs, but sent about 35 to the boneyard to be able to afford to the keep the rest flying. We only built 20 B-2s, one of which is the test bird and one of which crashed.

Still even the old BUFF can deliver the goods, after a little SEAD by it's newer brethren the Bone and the Spirit.

B. Hussein would most likely order more big birds sent to the guillotine at the bone yard.

[lexusppd]

We also have a nuclear submarine fleet with the capability to launch over 5100 warheads from a platform undetectable to an enemy. We have 9 Carriers each one with more firepower then probably any other nations military and we have the ICBM’s in Silos which can in 30 minutes reach any point on the planet.

I don't believe their are any number of Nations combined that have a prayer of not getting totally annihilated in any sort of serious military exchange with America.