Dear Dr. Ledeen,
I have no doubt that as relates to foreign affairs a bull in the China shop policy will work at irregular intervals as well as just about anything else. That said, it seems to me we, meaning the US, Israel and 90% + of the international community have a much larger problem with Iran and its leadership. I don’t believe sanctions will do much more than buy Iran the time it needs to produce the nuclear weapon it desires. I don’t believe that no matter who or how hard the US military kicks butt, lets say quietly in northern Pakistan, that it’s going to impress the Russians or Chinese very much. You are an expert on Iran. What happen’s the next day if an overtaxed US military basically watches as Israel tries to take out the Iranian nuclear reactors with only moderate success? I don’t like the prospect and frankly it worries me by a factor of at least 10 in relation to some petty boat ride they decide not to take in the Mediterranean.
