We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network.
With the talk of a conflict with Iran going on at full press-- I ask myself.. HAVE WE USED EVERY MEANS? Have we truly tried 'diplomacy'? Using every tool of intelligence, means more then 'glasses to the wall' it means.. INTELLIGENCE, brainstorming, fact finding, problem solving, discernment.. all of these things. Have we really tried all of the finanical influence--have we embargoed? Have we ceased buying oil from them? Have we cut off any and all aid (this would include any covert programs like -- weapons purchased by drug money--etc..)
Until we've done all of these things, the talk of war.. should not be talk at all. It seems to me, we are jumping the gun.. really fast.
GTL's comments: I think we would all do well to read and re-read his comments.. and most importantly the last statement.. I whole heartedly agree. As this nation sinks into billions of dollars in the whole in this quarter of the year only.. what is this going to cost an already stretched economy? Where are we going to get the soldiers for this endeavor, when the military is already stretched too thin as it is?
Folks.. we really REALLY need to finish what we have going NOW.. before we hop into the next salvo of 'war on terrorism' via conflict.
LD: I believe a "showdown" will happen much sooner then what you think it will.
I only hope that this nation can have a little of that "vision into the future" that Mark spoke of above, before we go there.
A vision of the future is more then seeing what conflicts may lay ahead.. what good is "vision" if we do nothing to allay the damages, while we can? Vision is only good, if we allow it to guide us in wise paths of action. If this Nation would have a vision for the future and a vision of a peaceful world, I suggest that we begin realizing that peace is *NOT* going to come via the sword.
Hey, nice posts everybody. Nariel and Mark, I could just FEEL your hearts being poured out into your posts... good show!
Unlike Mark and Zaph, I'm just not as quick to say "let's go!". An analogy: we have an enemy over the hill who is talking tough, so we run to grab our swords and the sword cabinet is empty. It would be much better for America if, as Liberty Dog suggests, the rest of the world steps up and takes the lead on this one.
You know, I'd be more inclined to just sit back and let the Arabs and Isreal have it out with each other and stay out of it entirely if I didn't see Isreal as being a nation who is only trying to thrive and be prosperous, mind it's own business, protect it's own interests. I do not see Isreal going around trying to pick fights with it's neighbors, but I constantly see the reverse.
And THIS is why I believe the West needs to stand up for Isreal. But not at the expense of America either. Again; where would we find the "swords" and the "swordsmen" to lend to them at this time?
I am not quick at all in saying "lets go" as a matter of fact I think we need at least 2 years before it is feasible, or even necessary. My point here was however that I do think that it is inevitable, not imminent. I think allot of the saber-rattling from Iran is due to our stretched state, but we are not the only players here... this time others have noticed and are preparing to act, I am sure.
I think you're right about one thing for sure, Zaph: I do not believe this is one war we'll be going it alone if it comes to it. The entire West, and even many other countries seem vehemently opposed to this guy getting his hands on a nuke.
I've been greatly influenced by the writings of Thomas Barnett. His two books, The Pentagon's New Map, and Blueprint for Action go beyond the War on Terror, and give an vision for the future. One of the things he talks about are the Core nations, the G-8, plus other countries that are intricately connected economically and politically. He includes both Russia and China in these Core nations. He also talks about the Gap countries, failed nations due to dictatorships, or other reasons.
He makes a strong case for using every means to bring those Gap nations in to the Core, up to and including using military action to bring down dictatorships. One of his key components is what happens after the military victory. He envisions the after action forces, what he calls SysAdmin, as actually being a larger force than what he calls Leviathan, or the military force used to bring down the bad guys. His books are compelling, and being used as paradigms for the Pentagon in the coming decades. Well worth reading in light of what's coming in Iran.
Though I appreciate everyone's effort to bring the Muslim countries into the "core", I don't see it happening...ever. A tribal mentality is a tribal mentality. That's why they can band together under Allah and run off to kill the infidels and the apostates; that done- just as quickly RETURN to killing each other (eg. Iraq/Iran war, Sunni vs. Shiite vs. Kurd, etc.)
We may all disagree on how we will get there, but we will get there and it won't be pretty...
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I like your blog, and this post on Iran! Thought you might be interested my post -- citing an academic political science article -- assessing Israel's capabilities for a preventive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. It's very compelling (Israel can do it!), and has gotten a good buzz from fellow bloggers:
http://burkeanreflections.blogsp...lities-
for.html
I'm bookmarking your site. Take care and keep it up!
You guys only see Ahmadinejad in Iran. The media has made him so big that he is now more popular in some other countries than he is in Iran!! You know that he is not going to be elected for the next term right?!
The US gives him so much credibility by putting him in the spotlight. In fact, he gets stronger every day as a result and guess what, aggression only strengthens aggression. a war with Iran only weakens the Iranian democratic and grassroots movements: the students, the teachers, the women's movements, .... The ones you don't know about and you don't even look for.
A huge problem with the US is its reliance on military action, as if you can constantly make your problems disappear with bombs. Put the wrench down, pick up a dictionary or a book, and learn to talk to people. It's a pity that even in Iraq, the deepest we can get is to the extent of learning the words "shiite, sunni, and kurd," ignoring that these people are all brothers and sisters.
Invest in peace and advertise and enable freedom of speech. Suspend the knee-jerk reaction to only go after short-term interests (think about how the US supported both Bin-Laden and Saddam at some point for short term interests). In fact, the root of Iran/US problems goes back to a US-led coup against a democratic leader in Iran in 1954, way before the Islamic Republic.
There are many good people inside Iran who are trying to be heard. These situations should not be simplified. There is ALWAYS a non-violent choice.
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