When the Israelis bombed Osirak, it set Iraq's nuclear program back long enough for ODS and OIF to permanantly end it.
If we take out Iran's nuclear facilities at Natanz, Arak Esfahan, and possibly Bushehr, Lavizan and classified locations, via airsrikes, not only will Iran not achieve nuclear ignition during the 2008-2016 period of questionable US leadership, but further, they will be dealing with Chernobyl style fallout plumes affecting large portions of their territory.
Airstrikes involving their Navy and Air Force will terminate Iran's ability to project force for decades or more, and a few selective strikes against Pasdaran and regular army assets will cripple their ability to confront internal dissent.
The US is easily in a position to accomplish any or all of these actions without breaking the budget or the US military, the "cost" is effectively nil.
On Cheney's last trip, nearly all the Gulf states visited signed onto the concept.
The US forces are largely in place.
We grabbed, among 300 others, an Iranian former assistant Defense Minister with in-depth, firsthand knowlege of Iran's nuclear program, and admitted publicly that we had him and that he was undergoing extensive de-briefing.
The French thought enough of the threat to put new propellers on the deGaulle, the Russians have pulled all their people out of Bushehr (and other areas, according to some reports) on a ridiculous pretext, and Bush has had little, if anything to say, what-so-ever, on the Iranians taking 15 Brits hostage.
Short of writing "HEADS UP" in crayon, with letters 30 feet tall on the base of the Statue of liberty, what more do you need to know?
Nice summation!
And now you understand the rope-a-dope on Iraq. Iraq was always win-win. Either a clear political victory and peace, or the current situation that tempted Iran to overplay its hand. Anne Richards is shaking her head.