Since the 2004 Presidential elections, we've been hearing "warnings" and "insider tips" that the Bush administration is planning to wage war on Iran. Naturally, each time the administration denies such a plan,the howls of protest grow louder.
Now that the howls have been spread across the Internet, some of the mainstream politicians are jumping in. For example,Presidential wannabee Hillary Clinton , and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi took time out from their busy schedules to tell the Media that the President can't wage war on Iran without Congressional approval. (Goll-leee ! What a surprise !! )
Those who suffer from Bush Derangement Syndrome seem to have arrived at the conclusion that Iran - if it is a problem to the world at all - is a problem only because President Bush is so mean to them. ( It's a familiar refrain to my old ears. The peace-at-any-price folks used to say the same thing about every American president who refused to join in a rousing chorus of The Communist Internationale.)
Since at least 2005, American and other Coalition troops in Iraq have been running across war materiel of Iranian origin ,which has been used to kill our troops - and they have run across occasional identifiable Iranian Special Forces operatives as well .
The Anti-Bush folks have two answers when evidence is presented:
1. It is all a Neo-Con hoax; and/or :
2. Because we furnished weapons to the mujahadeen in Afghanistan against Russian invaders, the Iranians have a perfect right to do so in Iraq ; and :
3. Iran has a perfect right to pursue the goal of joining the Nuclear Weapons club.
It may surprise some of you, but I have no real objection to Iran becoming a nuclear power.India and Pakistan , which have been at loggerheads from the gitgo , are both burdened with nuclear weapons they dare not use against each other. The harsh realities of Mutual Destruction have forced both nations to restrict their military activities, and to meet across the bargaining table.
I can readily visualize such a scenario developing between Iran and Israel , should both antagonists achieve nuclear parity , and I can visualize Shi'ite Iran becoming a counterbalance to the Sunni -dominated nations. The relationships that would develop would probably be noisy-with much ranting,and much low-grade irregular warfare, but the world would probably be safer for it.
As to any Iranian guerrillas who might turn up in Iraq , the answer is clear: dispose of them, or chase them back to their homeland. Continue to document what they are doing, but let the Iraqis themselves handle them and any problems they may cause.
Let's keep a steady hand on the reins; and above all, let's not let political wannabees stampede us into open conflict just so they can get elected. We have more than enough on our plates right now, thank you !
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