[Yomin Postelnik]

Here’s the correct link for the piece referenced in middle:

http://mythdebunker.blogspot.com/2006/12/necessity-of-war-in-iraq-unfortunate.html

[wastoute]

Giving mercy to cruel people will in the end cause you to be cruel to merciful people. I like that. Gotta remember that one. Thank you.

[outofsalt]

Obama had a real chance to support the people of Iran when the student revolution was trying to rise up against the Mullahcracy. This was the true, "Arab Spring"^* which he failed to support. The peace loving Muslims were trying to overthrow the radical Islamists and Obama failed to act. Now, the Iran deal will seal his legacy, to the detriment of the world.

*Yes, I know the Iranians are Persians

[Mister Da]

“... without hurting or targeting civilians, bomb and take out Iran’s nuclear sites.”

This is naive & simplistic, at best. No surgical strike on Iranian nuclear facilities can hope to succeed on its own.

Iran is not without means to defend itself. Bombers cannot simply fly in & bomb without first destroying Iranian air defenses. An intense, weeks long campaign to destroy these defenses is required.

Iran is not going to sit by quietly while the US bombs it. They are going to attack any US targets in the area with every weapon at their disposal. Those targets include US Navy vessels, commercial tankers & cargo ships, US bases in the area, etc. Any attack on Iran must destroy these offensive weapons ASAP.

In both these efforts it would be dangerously foolish to try to minimize civilian casualties. Iranian defenses & offensive weapons must be thoroughly destroyed regardless of close proximity to civilians.

On the contrary, to “win” this war a lot of civilians need killing, starting with the entire Iranian government, all the nuclear scientists & their employees, & all terrorist sponsoring groups.

Only after the Iranian military is thoroughly beaten down can the US then begin the process of destroying the Iranian nuclear program. But once sufficiently bombed, US troops & inspectors will still be needed to verify the destruction. That entails a ground invasion.

So, the only sure way to end the Iranian nuclear program is with a war like we waged against Iraq. Bomb Iran to rubble, destroy its military, invade the country, arrest/kill its leaders, & completely destroy its ability to threaten anyone for a long time. I favor a long occupation of the country with permanent military bases established there to preclude a resurgence of Shia radicalism. I would also take Iranian oil to pay for our long term effort. They caused the war, they can pay for it. In the end, it will have been money they well spent to rid themselves of the mullahs.

But, there is a problem, a big one: Iran’s ally Russia.