The Iran Question

I do not support a full-scale invasion of Iran, for a multitude of reasons. Such an invasion would not be advisable from the standpoint of logistics. As they say, armchair generals talk strategy; real generals talk logistics. And there is no way we can launch a full-scale invasion of Iran while being tied up in Iraq, unless the draft is reinstituted. And the draft will not be reinstituted.

It is true, as some say, that Iran need not be invaded in order for warfare to be visited upon her, by means of an air campaign. The U.S. has the means to take out important structures including those determined by intelligence services, both American and Israeli, to be most directly responsible for Iran's nascent nuclearization. These need not be the actual locations where nuclear weapons are being developed; rather, they can be secondary and tertiary sites, such as possible launch sites for any nuclear-tipped rockets, supply sites, supply lines, critical infrastructure, and the like. The list of these targets is limited only by the first strike weapons we have on hand. These targets are relatively soft and can be struck by conventional weapons launched from our naval submarines and destroyers.

The question is still, however, whether we should, not could, engage in such a first strike. The answer to that is not certain at this point.