Preventing a Nuclear Iran-- Should Military Force be Used?

Georgetown University ^ | December 13, 2005 | Anthony Clark Arend

[ANGGAPO]

And Iran with a nuclear device is what nightmares are made of.

[Calamari]

Should force be used?

Yes.

[paul51]

Military is not in a position right now to go to war with Iran. Off the record, the military will tell you this.

That may or may not be so however, a use of force is not necessarily going to war.

[Gay State Conservative]

Hitler (and Stalin) still make the mullahs look small time.

Do ya think that the Israelis would agree with ya if the "mullahs" were on the verge of getting nukes???????

Do ya think that the Israelis would stand idly by as a soon-to-have nukes Iran calls for Israel to be "wiped off the map"?????

Do ya think that certain passages from a book written during the 20's by an Austrian Corporal might color their thinking????

[BunnySlippers]

YES!

[edpc]

If we get into a crises where something has to be done NOW then go ahead ...

Since they're working feverishly on nuclear weapons and missile delivery systems, that should be enough. Add that to the bizzare and dangerous rhetoric coming out of Tehran lately, and NOW seems a little tardy.

[okie01]

From Arend's argument, it is clear that he would approve of the use of military force under only one circumstance: after Iran had launched a nuclear attack on Israel (or another of its neighbors).

By definition, he is prepared to accept that outcome, as the natural consequence of the actions he supports.

In other words, the argument is itself useless.

[yarddog]

I can only think of two legitimate questions regarding what to do with Iran. One: Do we use nuclear weapons? Two: If yes, do we use them or does Israel use them?

[COBOL2Java]

...It may well be that a policy of economic sanctions, containment, and deterrence is the best option...

Sure, why not? It worked so well against Saddam!

[ClearCase_guy]

If the world took "non-proliferation" seriously, there would be international agreement that any country who approached nuclear weapon capability without international authorization could be attacked with impunity.

This would make Iran fair game to anyone in the world right now. Certainly, an undesireable situation for the Mullahs.

But the world doesn't take non-proliferation seriously.

[manwiththehands]

I'm not so sure our technology won't be able to handle Iran's missiles. At the most we should provide a few bunker-busters to destroy their nuclear equipment IF we can get clear intelligence on their locations. We'll give Israel our support and equipment but we can even let them handle it - they were the ones threatened and they've struck preemptively in the past.

[manwiththehands]

See post 31

[johnny7]

I just hope that when Israel strikes... it will be enough to eliminate the problem.

[Hardastarboard]

Absolutely yes, but the whiny, hand-wringing liberals and the media (yes, I know, I repeat myself) would go BALLISTIC if we did. Failing to invade Iran, and frankly Syria and Lebanon, pretty much leaves the job undone, and the legacy muddled.

And I'm definitely NOT a war hawk. I fully understand that you don't expend blood and treasure unless it is absolutely necessary to protect our vital interests. It's just that this is THE time in history to git 'r done, with the Soviet Union out of the way once and for all.

[edpc]

Georgetown has little credibility with this subject. They have been in financial straits for a few years, now. They have recently accepted millions from Prince al-Walid Bin Talal, of Saudi Arabia for the construction of a Center for Christian/Muslim Understanding. This money is from the same individual that Giuliani waved off after Sept 11. Of course the Georgetown staff would like us to "consider other options." They're beholden to the guy, now.

[Recon Dad]

But........give them the bomb and.........

[jackson29]

In a New York minute. In a heartbeat. Faster than greased lightning. I leave out anything?

how about thorough and complete?

[dropzone]

Don't forget the first rule of dealing with nutcase tyrants:

Don't Panic.

[Petronski]

Yes, force should be used (if it's not already too late).

[yarddog]

In a way I can understand their wanting to have nuclear weapons. The U.S. has them, Israel has them, why can't we?

The answer of course is because they are a terrorist nation run by a madman. If he has them, he will likely use them, therefore it is a necessity that he not have them.