[Colonel Kangaroo]

I think Paul goes too far in ignoring the wild qualities of the Iranian regime. But backward Iran is no threat to the USA. If it really was a threat we would have never been so adamant in removing Saddam Hussein, the natural counterweight and obstacle to Iran.

[cripplecreek]

Iran is no threat to the USA

Just like nazi germany. after all it was "only" Jews they want to kill.

[DugwayDuke]

Iran without a nuke is not a threat.
Iran with a nuke is a threat.

And, no, a nation headed by a group of religious extremists who believe their mission is to bring about the end of the world cannot be deterred by threats of retaliation.

[slowhandluke]

If it really was a threat we would have never been so adamant in removing Saddam Hussein, the natural counterweight and obstacle to Iran.

Or, if you are an arrogant, delusional, neo-conservative, you remove Saddam and attempt to remodel Iraq as a Western liberal democracy in order to counterweight Iran.

The Ottoman Empire, and many others, have fallen to backward hordes. All it takes is for the horde to have reasonably equivalent force to make it possible. Then a few feckless politicians and generals on our side make it probable.

[rmlew]

An Iran without nuclear weapons is a pain. An Iran with nukes is a threat.

[ejonesie22]

The fact that they have orbited satellites not with standing of course...