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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Target Iran: US able to strike in the spring |
| 2007-02-10 |
| Al-Grauniad, so it's all speculation with a LOT of hand-wringing Despite denials, Pentagon plans for possible attack on nuclear sites are well advanced US preparations for an air strike against Iran are at an advanced stage, in spite of repeated public denials by the Bush administration, according to informed sources in Washington. The present military build-up in the Gulf would allow the US to mount an attack by the spring. But the sources said that if there was an attack, it was more likely next year, just before Mr Bush leaves office. Neo-conservatives, particularly at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, are urging Mr Bush to open a new front against Iran. So too is the vice-president, Dick Cheney. The state department and the Pentagon are opposed, as are Democratic congressmen and the overwhelming majority of Republicans. The sources said Mr Bush had not yet made a decision. The Bush administration insists the military build-up is not offensive but aimed at containing Iran and forcing it to make diplomatic concessions. The aim is to persuade Tehran to curb its suspect nuclear weapons programme and abandon ambitions for regional expansion. Robert Gates, the new US defence secretary, said yesterday: "I don't know how many times the president, secretary [of state Condoleezza] Rice and I have had to repeat that we have no intention of attacking Iran." |
| Posted by:Frank G |
| #2 There are big hawks and little hawks. The big hawks plan for big conventional and unconventional wars, the little hawks always convince themselves that by funding some little revolutionary group of a dozen hotheads, they will somehow overthrow a major tyrant. It the the difference between militants and militarists. Militants plan for committed war, with every contingency--they have few illusions. Militarists love the trappings of the military: handsome uniforms, pretty medals, and (usually posthumous) heroic bravado. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-02-10 20:09 |
| #1 Ummm, guys - We're able to completely destroy Iran right NOW. Willing to, not so much - yet. But Iran is working on that.... |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2007-02-10 19:36 |