Quote:
Originally Posted by spence
I believe Iran was intimidated by the ability of a limited US force to so quickly assert themselves in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Certainly this was driven by civilian policy and executed by the military.
The same civilians also led the policy which didn't plan for the next day, and in this often differed from the advice of the Generals.
So yes and no.
Neither you nor I know if Iran was intimidated by US force, limited or otherwise. I would think they were more intimidated by a "democratic" Iraq even more than a Sadaam Husein Iraq. They were certainly bold enough to instigate and aid the "insurgents" that tried to destroy the democracy. The imperfect "civilians" may not have calculated that at first, but were flexible enough to change tactics. Such is war. No doubt, Obama is perfect and won't make any mistakes. As for apples and oranges, Bush faced a different world than Obama is facing now. Before his, what you consider, blunder, NOTHING of substance was being done to check an emboldening radical Islam. His "blunder" flushed out the rats and created a new face in the middle east. I believe that new face is the real threat to the Mullahs of Iran, not our nukes or marines. And the fence sitting royals of Saudi Arabia, etc. now must not only fear Al Quaeda influence in their population, but an even greater menace of democratic yearnings. If they are any students of history, I would think that they will prepare for some orderly democratization rather than a surrender to Iranian dominance.
I think we'd all agree that nuclear capability is important to maintain. We would also probably agree that excess nuclear stockpiles are harder to control and work against efforts for non-proliferation.
-spence
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There is no way to erase the existence and knowledge of nuclear power. Even if all present stockpiles were eliminated, the knowledge is there for an "evil" presence to use it. So we would probably all agree (except for the dreamiest peace mongers) that we should maintain a strong nuclear capability. If Obama believes in, supports, maintains, and provides for a STRONG US military, in all phases, and continues to use that power in our interest, I have no quarrel with him in that respect. His mission to fundamentally change America is another matter. Our foundation is our strength. Please, leave that alone.