[norton]

Of course "American involvement" also came into play in bringing the Shah down; neither you nor I know for sure how it would have played out had we not enabled Khoumeni's unresisted return.

What we should be planning for is a blitz into the Iran/Iraq border area where it seems likely that Saddam, his allies, his weapons, and/or terrorists have found haven. Followed by a promise to assist any near-secular government that Iran might be able to wrest from this apparent melt down.

As to a "CIA inspired fizzle...":
If there is any popular support for regime change in Iran (can't spell tehran) this is precisely the time to look for a legitimate internally inspired attempt to force the issue. Remember that Iran also had a large number of well educated people and a fairly progressive life style before the fundamentalists came to roost.

There also happens to be a large force of armed people just across the border who have quite recently shown they are willing and able to take action.

In the event that the fundamentalists begin to lose , if any major elements of government take the reformists side, it would only take a polite invitation to close the deal.

[Eala]

(can't spell tehran)

LOL. You did.

[Eala]

it would only take a polite invitation to close the deal.

Agreed -- given a polite invitation to lend a helping hand, we should. This keeps it as their revolution.