In case anyone is still reading the thread, I’ll posit the Iranian display is actually a sign of weakness, meant as much for internal consumption as for an external threat/warning. The ruling mullahs perhaps fear an internal coup and this is their way of appearing strong and discouraging their citizens from transforming thoughts to actions.

Of course it is also meant to buy time for their nuclear program, and there are already too many talking about talking more because, obviously, we haven’t already talked enough.

But time is short and getting shorter, and this adversary seems more inclined to action than talk.

Yesterday, I wondered who else beyond Israel and the U.S. might feel threatened by this display of belligerance. I noted, somewhat obliquely, that Paris is considerably closer to the danger zone than is Washington. Maybe the French will notice before it’s too late. But they haven’t seemed to notice that Hezbollah has targeted Israel with a reported 40,000 rockets in direct violation of a mandate they were entrusted to enforce and uphold.

My hope is that a sense of honor and self-preservation will overtake them and us (and yes, the Israelis) before it’s too late. A concerted and simultaneous effort against Hezbollah and the Iranian ruling mullahs would be messy but essential to preventing much messier business later.