[MaximusRules]

Argument that without an ironclad diplomatic solution [doubtful] and absent military action, the US must change its nuclear deterrence strategy in a world with rogue states acquiring nuclear weapons and terrorist actors. Good points. Note the comments on China and Russia.

[saganite]

Not enough keywords.

[ichabod1]

Yeah when Tancredo suggested this he was called a racist warmonger. The President would need to recognize that US Cities and US Citizens are somewhat "special" in order to enact a deterrence policy. He would need to specify that certain things would happen if anyone messes with us because we're "special". That the "citizen of the world" business only goes so far. I'm not holding my breath, but I hope he does the right thing.

[livius]

True. We've obviously resigned ourselves to the fact that our enemies are arming themselves rapidly and dangerously, and because we lack world support, we do not feel we can do anything about it. So I guess this means we have to wait for a few hundred thousand of our citizens to die agonizing deaths, have our entire economy destroyed - and then maybe we'll finally be "justified" in responding.

Sorry, it's not a good plan. The thing that the author of this article seems not to grasp is that, for one thing, these nutcases don't care if they and their countries get vaporized. Their goal is to inflict as much damage as possible and bring us down. China and Russia believe they are safe, and, frankly, they've always managed so much deniability that they would be. As for the Muslim world, they're all crazy; and so is North Korea.

I'd rather have a policy that told them right up front that any sign of nuclear weaponry would mean massive bombing of any place we believe it to exist. And then we have to carry through and actually do this.

[Man of the Right]

Iran policy is a bet-the-society decision amidst lousy intelligence. Basically, the President can elect to allow the Iranians to acquire nuclear weapons and hope a stable detergence regime can be developed, or he can resort to non-decisive action (bombing or sanctions). Presumably, invasion followed by an insurgency is off the table due to lack of the necessary force structure and political support.

The last time the U.S. or Britain faced a decision of comparable importance is when George VI had to decide whether to send for Halifax or Churchill or Lincoln had to decide whether to withdraw the garrison from Sumter.

I'm glad I don't have to decide. I've always thought of 43 as the modern Harry Truman -- a courageous, inarticulate unpopular guy who has to hammer out a war-winning strategy without experience or obvious precedents. Also, he has the rotten luck to be President now. He's got Hoover's or Buchanan's luck.

[Salem]

"... A mushroom cloud in the US will be a “triggering event.” As long as everyone understands that at the table, let Iran and North Korea have their nuclear weapons."

Geez.

Undertsanding the military mind, I'll assume he is factoring the costs of the massive civilian casualties against the cost of Bush implementing a pre-emptive action against an enemy sworn to destroy us, in the current geo-political environment. And accepting that cost.

Too bad leftist liberalism and the Democrats have weakened us so much in the eyes of the world that these lillers do not fear us.

Guess I'll stear clear of any major cities or symbolic targets in the years ahead.

---

AMERICA AT WAR
At Salem the Soldier's Homepage ~
Honored member of FReeper Leapfrog's "Enemy of Islam" list.
Islam, a Religion of Peace®? Some links...  by backhoe
Translated Pre-War IRAQ Documents  by jveritas
Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....  by PsyOp
One FReeper On The Line  by SNOWFLAKE
The Clash of Ideologies - A Review

[garbageseeker]

But we can deter Iran from getting nuclear weapons. But we need help from or ally in the Middle East: Israel.

Israel holds the key in deterring Iran from getting the bomb.

The great Ariel Sharon said this "The Arabs may have the oil, but we have the matches"

We must use the strength of all of the Israeli services in conjunction with ours. Together, we will win.

[2001convSVT]

Nothing will happen. We will wake up one morning to the news that Iran has successfully tested a nuclear device. The liberal media will be all over the administration with "how could this happen"!

The only action that will prevent Iran for getting the bomb is Iran attacking and precipitating a war (before they have the bomb).

Welcome to the nuclear club Iran. I can see Iran stockpiling about 200 before it launches its war.>