We don’t hear from Condi in what seems like MONTHS and this is what we get? She needs to don her black boots and “Matrix” overcoat again and do some @ss-kickin’.
She’s been making the same kind of statement every day or two about Iran.
Her motto is "Speak softly and walk in big black boots." Just a couple of days ago she (uncharacteristically) very publicly and highly visibly slapped Vladimir Putin about Cold War mentality and put him in his place in the new World Order ("new" as in with Soviet Union gone). Day later he made a U-turn and joined UN sanctions against North Korea.
Russia makes U-turn, joins UN sanctions against N.Korea
There is no reason for us to say that we're preparing for WAR with Iran. We may bomb Iran's nuclear and military targets without calling it a WAR at an appropriate time, if UN or EUro-troika (Britain, Germany, France with their new and, on average, slightly improved leadership) declare that they are at impasse, or if we gradually and publicly document more evidence of hostile actions by Iran in Iraq to establish casus belli for military actions against Iran, but until that time comes, saying that WE are not preparing for WAR is simply good politics for "crazies' like el-Baradei.
Think Kosovo (atrocity, I know). But WAR is quite different from bombing or other [para-]military actions designed to advance a regime change or change of direction (which in this case would have to go hand in hand).
And, as another benefit, saying that we are not getting ready for "war" might spur a little more anxiety among the Iranian students' movement, leading them to think that their inaction may not be productive.
Secretary Rice said before that she would not negotiate with the Iranian leadership, unless Iran stopped its nuclear development. Recently, she negotiated with Iranians in Baghdad...
US Has Two-Part Strategy With Iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1840813/posts
...after asking the Iranians to do so earlier.
Iran Stalls Over Attending Iraq Conference
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1793041/posts