An aircraft director guides an F/A-18F Super Hornet into position for launch from the bow catapults aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 8, 2012. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman George M. BellIn Din Over Iran, Rattling Sabers Echo -- New York Times
WASHINGTON — The United States has now endured what by some measures is the longest period of war in its history, with more than 6,300 American troops killed and 46,000 wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and the ultimate costs estimated at $3 trillion. Both wars lasted far longer than predicted. The outcomes seem disappointing and uncertain.
So why is there already a new whiff of gunpowder in the air?
Talk of war over Iran’s nuclear program has reached a strident pitch in recent weeks, as Israel has escalated threats of a possible strike, the oratory of American politicians has become more bellicose and Iran has responded for the most part defiantly. With Israel and Iran exchanging accusations of assassination plots, some analysts see a danger of blundering into a war that would inevitably involve the United States.
Read more ....
My Comment: I disagree with some of the points in this article. For one .... I do not see an appetite for war against Iran in the White House nor among key Congressional leaders. And while Republican Presidential hopefuls have been strident in their rhetoric, their voting records also do not show a rush for war. The American public is a different story .... with about half supporting war. But a 50% public desire for conflict is not where you would want to be if you want to conduct a war of choice .... especially since this number is probably very soft.
What I do find rather disquieting is the similarities between Iran and Iraq on the nuclear issue. Saddam Hussein was adamant to not only have nuclear inspectors, but also going out of his way to threaten his neighbors and the West. Flashback to
So why is there already a new whiff of gunpowder in the air?
Talk of war over Iran’s nuclear program has reached a strident pitch in recent weeks, as Israel has escalated threats of a possible strike, the oratory of American politicians has become more bellicose and Iran has responded for the most part defiantly. With Israel and Iran exchanging accusations of assassination plots, some analysts see a danger of blundering into a war that would inevitably involve the United States.
Read more ....
My Comment: I disagree with some of the points in this article. For one .... I do not see an appetite for war against Iran in the White House nor among key Congressional leaders. And while Republican Presidential hopefuls have been strident in their rhetoric, their voting records also do not show a rush for war. The American public is a different story .... with about half supporting war. But a 50% public desire for conflict is not where you would want to be if you want to conduct a war of choice .... especially since this number is probably very soft.
What I do find rather disquieting is the similarities between Iran and Iraq on the nuclear issue. Saddam Hussein was adamant to not only have nuclear inspectors, but also going out of his way to threaten his neighbors and the West. Flashback to
Read more ....
My Comment: I disagree with some of the points in this article. For one .... I do not see an appetite for war against Iran in the White House nor among key Congressional leaders. And while Republican Presidential hopefuls have been strident in their rhetoric, their voting records also do not show a rush for war. The American public is a different story .... with about half supporting war. But a 50% public desire for conflict is not where you would want to be if you want to conduct a war of choice .... especially since this number is probably very soft.
What I do find rather disquieting is the similarities between Iran and Iraq on the nuclear issue. Saddam Hussein was adamant to not only have nuclear inspectors, but also going out of his way to threaten his neighbors and the West. Flashback to today .... Iran wants no inspectors, and there is no shortage of threats from Tehran.
But will there be war? Hmmmm .... the ball is really in Iran's court right now.
Update: Seth Mandel at Commentary has a good response to the above New York Times commentary, read it here.
My Comment: I disagree with some of the points in this article. For one .... I do not see an appetite for war against Iran in the White House nor among key Congressional leaders. And while Republican Presidential hopefuls have been strident in their rhetoric, their voting records also do not show a rush for war. The American public is a different story .... with about half supporting war. But a 50% public desire for conflict is not where you would want to be if you want to conduct a war of choice .... especially since this number is probably very soft.
What I do find rather disquieting is the similarities between Iran and Iraq on the nuclear issue. Saddam Hussein was adamant to not only have nuclear inspectors, but also going out of his way to threaten his neighbors and the West. Flashback to today .... Iran wants no inspectors, and there is no shortage of threats from Tehran.
But will there be war? Hmmmm .... the ball is really in Iran's court right now.
Update: Seth Mandel at Commentary has a good response to the above New York Times commentary, read it here.