I think it's possible that we'll be bombing Iran late this year

[cthulu2016]

Of course it is one of those things that will never happen because it is unthinkable. (Like the sequester, and World War I.)

But do we even know that Iran has an interest in not being bombed?

Maybe being bombed is a more face-saving way of dismantling a nuke program than the alternative. Maybe being bombed serves needed internal political goals. Maybe a lot of things.

We have really ceded the decision to Iran. Obama is trapped by his own pronouncements. Even Bill Clinton might be boxed in, in this situation, and Obama is a more resolute man than Bill Clinton... less prone to ad hoc rationalization.

I didn't used to see it in any scenario, but its gotten to the point where Iran controls our decision, and I don't know what Iran would want, if push came to shove.

So it is possible. Not yet likely, but upgraded to possible.

[Hoyt]

1. Let's hope not. But, I doubt we'll be invading them.

[quinnox]

2. If so, its guaranteed there will be cheerleaders and defenders here for it

there is a certain contingent here who will always do this.

I'll just reply to them McCain's little ditty - "bomb bomb bomb, bomb Iran...." The irony will be lost on them though probably.

[Eleanors38]

3. PermaWar. The all-weather crisis backed by corporate power everywhere!

[Posteritatis]

4. How many hundreds of times was this thread made in the last decade? (nt)

[SidDithers]

7. "This time for sure!!"...nt

Sid

[TwilightGardener]

5. Obama has decided on prevention. And to be fair, I imagine

everyone is afraid of nuclear Iran also triggering a middle east nuclear arms race, not just a (unlikely and suicidal) strike by Iran on Israel or anywhere else. He doesn't have much wiggle room here--he's not going to bomb if weapon development isn't clearly evident to inspectors, but how long should we wait, and what would bombing do besides set the program back for a little while, possibly cause retaliation and destabilization, and strengthen the Iranians' resolve that we are the enemy? He is in a pickle, not really of his making.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent". Isaac Asimov Or, in America, the first resort.

[hack89]

8. Not like we haven't heard that every 4 months for 8 years. nt

[Rex]

9. Someone says that every year.

nt.

[Posteritatis]

11. Or week. (nt)

[RobertEarl]

10. North Korea too

Lets see, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, tomorrow Iran and N Korea.

Bombs away, fellas!

Why doesn't this make me feel comfortable?
Is it because more bombs=less peace?