[Edgerunner]

If at first you don't succeed, bomb,bomb again...

[Reza2004]

It seems there is no desire for regime change since people of Iran are not considered as an option. If all stands, Islamic Republic will stay the course of their guessing game for the world and successfully put down any internal opposition. There is no mention of organizing internal resistance with any kind of leadership. So this Iran thing will continue for the next 25 years since England and such got their oil contract. I wonder since people of Iran must decide, would it be conceivable for them to switch sides since their desire for change is lost due to abandonment. A nuclear Iran is the dream of all Iranians, so Mullahs might take even a bigger prize of popular support if they supper size. Just a thought since the window seem to be closing.

[trubluolyguy]

Can't we just nuke 'em?

[Jack Deth]

I would love to see President Bush and soon-to-be SecState Condaleeza Rice dust off the "Good Cop/Bad Cop Rules of Diplomacy and Gamesmanship" used and perfected by President Nixon and Henry Kissenger when dealing with North Vietnamese Dignitaries in the 1970s.

Condi could be the Good Cop discussing the future of North Korea. Or Iran. Or Syria. Persuading them to de-escalate. Dial back and eventually trash their nuclear adventures. Lest "The Crazy Cowboy in the White House" decides to turn their landscapes to glass.

Jack.

[Truth wins]

I read a critique of the Atlantic "war game" article. This critique -- and I'm sorry to say I can't remember where I read it or who wrote it -- suggested a naval blockade of oil shipments as an alternative not considered in the Atlantic article. The idea was that the resulting economic disturbances within Iran might cause the "mullacracy" to topple. Of course, a blockade would result in oil market disturbances with economic consequences, not to mention diplomatic problems with the Europeans (as if. . .). But the results of a war would dwarf these consequences.

It sure would be nice to get shed of our dependence on ME oil, for all kinds of reasons.

[HenryLeeII]

Either war, or the bomb

War or bomb, guns or butter, why all these decisions? Why can't we have it all? In fact, since we have the bomb, why can't we bring war upon all those we wish to? I decide not to decide but rather to have it all!!! ;>)

[Former Proud Canadian]

Just like the US was at war with al-queda (without acknowleding it) for many years, Iran and the US have been at war since 1979. The war has been fought, mainly, through surrogates but now the US has a fairly large air/sea/land strike force based in Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Iran is in the process of building nuclear weapons. I think this war will heat up very soon and it won't be just surrogates fighting it.

Very interesting, on point link: http://www.benadorassociates.com/article/6718

[hippy hate me]

Middle East, 2008

[Zhangliqun]

I think the 3rd option, related to the blockade, is to arm and otherwise back and support the pro-democratic crowd in Iran. If Iran becomes a stable, friendly democracy, I then couldn't care less if they have the bomb. India is nuclear, but no threat to us.