Comments on: Gates: Diplomacy Route on Nukes in Iran, Syria

By: Paving The Road To Hell » Comments From Left Field

Paving The Road To Hell » Comments From Left Field — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:01:20 +0000

[...] hoof beats. For less inflammatory commentary, check out Blake Hounshell, Dave Schuler, and James Joyner, who thinks the brinkmanship is “simply [an exercise] in mintaining some level of uncertainty in [...]

By: Zelsdorf Ragshaft III

Zelsdorf Ragshaft III — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:03:11 +0000

So a nuclear armed Iran is acceptable to who? How do you negotiate with people who strap bombs to their children?

By: Tano

Tano — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:23:14 +0000

"The grown-ups are universally opposed to a military solution to this problem on the very practical grounds that it will almost surely not work."

Unfortunatly, the grownups are not the deciders.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:57:58 +0000

Aside from a handful of the most rabid neocons, nobody in the FPC is counseling military action against Iran. And those who are are decidedly less influential in the current environment.

And who, exactly, do you think the White House listens to? Here's a hint: Begins with "r" and ends with "abid neocons."

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:51:14 +0000

You mean you don't think there's a sizeable contingent of think tank FP types who have considerable influence in the administration (especially the Fourth Branch) who think attacking Iran would be a wonderful idea and have even roped administration officials in to help with computer modelling saying it could even be good for the economy?

Or do you mean you just don't think those influential FP types are as influential as they have been in the past?

Both, really.

Aside from a handful of the most rabid neocons, nobody in the FPC is counseling military action against Iran. And those who are are decidedly less influential in the current environment.

By: Cernig

Cernig — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:44:41 +0000

You mean you don't think there's a sizeable contingent of think tank FP types who have considerable influence in the administration (especially the Fourth Branch) who think attacking Iran would be a wonderful idea and have even roped administration officials in to help with computer modelling saying it could even be good for the economy?

Or do you mean you just don't think those influential FP types are as influential as they have been in the past?

Regards, C

By: The Glittering Eye » Blog Archive » How Do We Avoid War With Iran?

The Glittering Eye » Blog Archive » How Do We Avoid War With Iran? — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:57:19 +0000

[...] agree with James Joyner that much of Washington’s sabre-rattling with respect to Iran are “simply exercises in [...]

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:31:59 +0000

Note, too, who keeps that ball in the air.