I still hold the belief that the US should detonate a nuclear device, of Russian origin, in the middle of the Iranian desert and sit back and watch all of our fair weather friends come running to us and beg for help or demand that we do something about it. At this point, very publicly announce with all of our fair weather friends present, that there will be a strike against Iran from the US and our newly added allies in the war on terrorism. Charge them for the cost and demand cooperation, as far as, air space, bases and what ever else we may need or want. This will have multiple advantages for America and we will reap many good things for a long time, when we succeed. We take out Iran and make it look like their fault. All we need is to grow some testicles and do it.
It may have merit. But I think there are enough freedom-loving Iranians in Iran to change things for the better with a little help from their friends. As far as having a base in the area, I think we would be stupid to pull up stakes in Iraq when things settle down there.
For all the blood our warriors spilled on their behalf, we have earned the right to maintain a permanent quick-strike, anti-terrorist base on Iraqi soil. If we clear out completely without having that facility, I think our entire operation there will prove to have been in vain.
What better location in the M/E could there be for us to maintain a presense in the world-wide, long-term war against terrorists? IMO.