The Pentagon was ratcheting up pressure for military action against Iran last night as America’s top uniformed official said for the first time that a strike on nuclear targets would “go a long way” towards delaying Tehran’s uranium enrichment programme.
The remarks by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were his strongest yet in support of a strategy that both the Pentagon and the Obama Administration still regard as a last resort and possibly a recipe for a regional war.
They came as President Ahmadinejad taunted the US with a potent display of missile technology, while a leaked top-secret memo by Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, forced the White House to insist that it was preparing for all contingencies.
Iran sent a letter to Obama last week during the “Disarmament Summit.” The White House refuses to discuss the content, but there are rumors saying it contains a pledge by Iran that if we accept them as a nuclear power and do not meddle in their actions in dealing with Israel (I take this to mean stand by while Iran wipes them off the map), in return they will guarantee our access to Middle East oil and will not interfere in the internal affairs of Iraq and Afghanistan when we withdraw.
I think someone in the government, who is very concerned about Obama’s dislike of Israel, leaked the Gates memo to “freeze” Obama from being able to throw Israel under the bus. I also note that the World Jewish Congress last week expressed concern to Obama about his treatment of Israel.
I’m not completely following his game, but Obama’s actions of late seem to indicate he places ideology above practicality. First he alienates the Jews, some of his biggest contributors and supporters, by openly indicating a lack of support for Israel, and saying Israel is a primary obstacle to peace in the Middle East. Second, he unleashes the SEC on Goldman-Sachs at the precise moment it will provide the most support for his financial reform bill. Goldman-Sachs and other Wall Street firms were among his largest contributors and supporters in the 2008 election.
It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
A weak president invites scorn from our enemies (and friends). Remember the Jimmy Carter days?