This Is a Test

Here we have Iran, warning of a preemptive strike on U.S. forces in Iraq. According to the linked news story, Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani warns that Iran might launch a preemptive strike against U.S. forces in Iraq to prevent an attack on its nuclear facilities. Shamkhani also makes the usual belligerent statements about Israel.

Here's the first question. Suppose we have good intelligence and warnings that Iran is about to launch a preemptive strike, either against U.S. forces or Israel. Should we preempt Iran's preemption? I say yes. Why should we wait to be attacked? Where's the sense in that? If someone is going to die, it should be our enemies, not Americans or our friends in Israel.

Now, let's make it harder. What about attacking Iran's nuclear facilities if we have good intelligence that those facilities are in fact ready to produce nuclear weapons. Again, I say yes. Iran is clearly belligerent to the U.S. and Israel. Why wait until Iran can produce weapons that might be used against U.S. forces or Israel? I say it again: If someone is going to die, it should be our enemies, not our Americans or our friends in Israel.

What's so hard about that?