Pentagon must ready Iran options: top U.S. officer

Readers may recall seeing similar headlines regarding Iraq in the years running up to its invasion in 2003. Like the accusations that Iraq was developing Weapons of Mass Destruction – which later proved completely unfounded – threats of sanctions together with a chorus of ‘international’ disapproval could be heard in the U.N. in the years prior to the toppling of Saddam.

The roles in this charade are the same even though those playing the parts may have changed. Colin Powell once played the part that Hilary Clinton now fills: a concerned U.S. secretary of state warning over the consequences if Iraq/Iran didn’t comply.

The role of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations is now played by Dr Susan Rice who is making much the same sort of noises as John Bolton did during his time at the United Nations. Although naturally being a woman she is a little less strident and confrontational.

Nonetheless, they both played the same role with the same script with its talk of “international obligations”.

While America’s military commanders were making similar noises prior to the invasion of Iraq as Mullen did on Monday.

So who says history doesn’t repeat itself and those who won’t learn from the past are destined to repeat it? Expect Western engagement with Iran to intensify over the coming months leading ultimately to a confrontation that will completely overshadow Iraq.

Pentagon must ready Iran options: top U.S. officer
Reuters – December 21, 2009

Diplomacy remains the best course for curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions but the Pentagon must have military options ready should President Barack Obama call for them, the top U.S. military officer said on Monday.

In an annual assessment of the nation's military priorities, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, offered no details about what those options might entail but said using force would have limited effect.

"My belief remains that political means are the best tools to attain regional security and that military force will have limited results," Mullen wrote. "However, should the president call for military options, we must have them ready."

Iran appears to be on course to miss the West's year-end deadline for it to accept an enrichment fuel deal aimed at calming international fears about its nuclear program.

If that happens, Washington has made clear that it intends to pursue harsher United Nations sanctions against Iran.

The West fears that the country's nuclear program is aimed at making bombs. Tehran says it seeks only to generate electricity.

Mullen said Obama has given the Iranian leadership "ample incentive to cease developing nuclear arms," adding: "I fully support the effort to focus on diplomatic solutions to existing tensions."

But Mullen played down the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough any time soon, saying: "No resolution is yet in sight."

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has similarly expressed support for diplomacy, saying military action would only delay the country's nuclear progress temporarily.

Tehran has had years to build underground facilities aimed at hiding and protecting the program in the event of attack from either the United States or Israel, experts say.

(Reporting by Adam Entous; Editing by Vicki Allen)

Source: www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BK37V20091221

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Last updated 24/12/2009

Homepage