perfidy

Some in the Pentagon are saying that Iran is the proper target, and are proposing the use of covert operations to engineer the collapse of the Iranian fundamentalist theocracy. Those pushing this plan feel that the collapse of the Iranian government is the only way to forestall the development of nuclear weapons which could be used against American targets. 

One disturbing aspect of the plan is that it would include the use of a group currently classified as a terrorist organization by the US government. The MEK was a group sponsored by Saddam's regime in an attempt to destabilize it's rival neighbor. After the fall of the Baathist government in the wake of the American libervation, the American government and the MEK agreed to a ceasefire, and the MEK disarmed. However, MEK forces are still in existence and the weapons are in storage. 

Many of the arguments for regime change in Iraq apply equally well to Iran - a government resolutely inimical to American interests, state support of terrorist groups, development of WMD, and oppression and brutalization of their own population. With Iran, we get the added bonus of payback for the hostage crisis. Where the population of Iraq seems genuinely happy to be rid of Saddam, but lukewarm about the American presence; word is that the Iranian people are very much pro-American. Numerous articles by Michael Ledeen of the National Review, among others, have told the story of the widespread protests against the regime in Tehran and Qum, as well as many other regions. The people of Iran, I think would greatly support any effort by the US to overthrow the Mullahs. 

As a charter member of the Axis of Evil, Iran should certainly be on our list. And given the new strategic situation, we are in a prime position to move on Iran - we have them bracketed on two sides - Iraq and Afghanistan - three, really, if you count the Persian Gulf. I don't think we need to use some of Saddam's thugs to achieve our goals, however. We should be working with the Poles, the Australians and the Brits if we choose to go down that path. 

But we should not be too quick to jump into another conflict while we are still committed to Iraq, and while the Palestinian situation is still unresolved. We should give the UN time to work the diplomacy angle, and see if... Aw, fuck it, let's just nuke 'em.