Monday, April 10, 2006

Iran Next: The Nuclear Scenario

Last week, I discussed some of the tactical difficulties with using military force to subdue Iran. One option I didn't write about, because I considered it inconceivable, was the nuclear option. It is now apparent that every discussion of foreign policy must be approached as if we are through the looking glass.

Sy Hersh of The New Yorker, through anonymous sources, has uncovered that the administration refuses to take the nuclear option off the table in discussing military strikes aganst Iran.

"One of the military’s initial option plans, as presented to the White
House by the Pentagon this winter, calls for the use of a bunker-buster tactical
nuclear weapon, such as the B61-11, against underground nuclear sites."

As frightening as that quote is, this one from a former defense official may be more frightening.

"a sustained bombing campaign in Iran will humiliate the religious
leadership and lead the public to rise up and overthrow the government.” He
added, “I was shocked when I heard it, and asked myself, ‘What are they
smoking?’"

Can this really happen again? Where are the lessons from Iraq? Do we have an administration with such narrow blinders that it will use nuclear weapons for only the second time in history on what amounts to a foreign policy roll of the dice?

It is time to be frightened. Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independant. If you are not concerned then you are crazy or dead.

Complete roundup at: The Moderate Voice

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ok, so I wouldn't put many things past this administration, but do you really think this is a bullet in their "diplomacy" gun or just an elaborate bluff? I subscribe to the don't-point-a-gun-at-someone-unless-you-plan-to-shoot-them philosophy, but I'm not so sure the Bush Crime Family agrees with that. Not that I endorse brinksmanship by any means, and maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I can't imagine that this is really on the table.

Sara said...

I can't even believe it is even being considered as an option, let alone a preemptive option. Nuclear warfare is supposed to be the last possible resort, the thing we don't even consider to be on the table unless there is really nothing else at all that we could possibly do. Even then, I would certainly hope that whoever is making the decisions would only consider using nuclear weapons when the very existence of the country is on the line.

So much for the dream of reforming the middle east into a bunch of burgeoning western-friendly democracies--let's just go turning large chunks of that region into radioactive wastelands. That will definitely make the surrounding muslims love us and want to support American-style democracy.

My god...these people are so stupid and dangerous I can't even process it.