Iranian Developments

A short post as I prepare to get out of town for the Holidays...and a Merry Christmas to all.

The pot is coming to a boil on several fronts. The President might want to reconsider his holiday trip to Crawford...but there is little chance of that.

Iran's President continues to say nasty things about the West, although his power and influence seems to have taken a downturn in recent Iranian local elections. Iranian moderates seem to be gaining strength (again). Since, I am of the opinion that the ruling clerics tend to "approve" elections before the event, this may be a new political turning point.

Apparently, however, the U.S. Administration is not of the same inclination. In response to not getting our way at the UN or with our European partners on sanctions, we are sending a second carrier battle group into the Persian Gulf. Not sure what that really gains us, unless there is an unknown increased threat in the region. Military experts (the talking heads) seem to be of the opinion that air strikes against Iranian nuclear sites would not be successful due to their dispersion and lack of intelligence. So, the additional carrier battle group seems to do little more than provide an additional target for Iranian shore-to-ship missiles.

Curious...we won't open direct talks with them...but we'll pressure them with military force when everybody on earth understands we don't have sufficient force to make any difference? Pat Buchanan suggested that when Congress returns, the first order of business should be a resolution specifically forbidding the President from launching a war on Iran. That's something, coming from Buchanan...so I conclude there is genuine concern in Washington circles that we may attack Iran.

Hmmm? Wonder if all the discussion between Bush and his Generals is over this possibility and NOT what to do in Iraq?

An unprovoked attack on Iran...limited or otherwise, at this stage, would seem to me to lead to impeachment...and a sort of confirmation in my mind that this whole mid-east business is about Israel and Oil and not democracy and non-proliferation.