Bomb Iran?

Recently a report was released that stated the Pentagon has developed a plan to wipe out the Iranian military in 3 days. Rather than looking to make "pinprick strikes", the director of terrorism and national security at the Nixon Center says “They’re about taking out the entire Iranian military".

While I understand the general American public would not favor military action in another country, there are good reasons to consider it as a possible avenue:

- A message must be sent to Tehran that their behavior is unacceptable- It's possible that Iran has been funding and/or training the insurgents that have been killing Americans in Iraq. If this turns out to be the case, an ultimatum should be issued and if Iran does not comply, the message should be sent via bombing. We already have them breathing down our necks, promising to fill any "power vacuum" in Iraq if our plan fails there.

-Wiping out their military could help in nuclear discussions- It's a lot harder for the country to enrich uranium when their entire military is gone and they are faced with new financial challenges. The North Koreans may even be encouraged because they will see that the United States means business in regards to rogue states and WMD's. Recently the US and North Korea made some modest agreements about their nuclear program and they would see the benefits of compliance.

- The Iranian problem would become a main discussion topic in every American home- as it should be. It is clear that the Iranian President is completely nuts, and Americans are smart enough to recognize that. We are a nation that is frustrated in Iraq and a talk about Iran might sober us up to the reality of this long war against Islamic extremism.

- Any political fallout could be pinned on George W. Bush- Republicans worried about the election can simply oppose the action, and they wouldn't be hurt politically by it. Also, it might even help out Bush's approval ratings, as Presidents have always enjoyed high approval ratings during successful air bombings.

However, such an action faces obstacles:

-The bombing could unite Iranians behind a leader who otherwise could have been isolated- recent elections in the country show that the people dislike the direction he is taking them in. An American attack could provoke the country to unify under the leadership of their president. Not too many countries rejoice when they are bombed, no matter how few casualties there were.

- The international diplomacy progress we've made could be lost- We have the support of key countries, but the UN seems to be coming together to isolate Iran because of their nuclear ambitions. Such progress could be lost if we resort to a massive military strike. Conservatives do not think we should hold international opinion above national security, and we shouldn't, but it's possible that losing support may endanger us in the future.

- Resources would have to be diverted- The Air Force would have to devote men and women away from their missions in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to execute this plan. While the military is stretched thin, I honestly don't know what effect it would have on the Air Force.

This is a tough decision that our Commander-in-Chief is going to have to make. No decision is without its consequences.

Does he adhere to his promise to "never relent in the War on Terror"? Or does he attempt to preserve what little legacy he may have and leave the problems that Iran poses for the next President?