Originally published on the CGS blog on October 22, 2007.
The drumbeat for war with Iran has been banging for a few years now. Last week, beginning with President Bush’s ‘diplomatic’ comments about “World War III,” the rhetoric really seemed to heat up; and sadly so.
Vice President Cheney, aka Don Vito Corleone, fanned the flames this past weekend when he spoke at the Washington Institute for Near East Studies. According to this morning’s Washington Post , Cheney said:
“Our country, and the entire international community, cannot stand by as a terror-supporting state fulfills its grandest ambitions.”
He said that Tehran’s efforts to pursue technology that would allow it to build a nuclear weapon are obvious, and that “the regime continues to practice delay and deceit in an obvious effort to buy time.”
If Iran continues on its course, Cheney said, the United States and other nations are “prepared to impose serious consequences.” He made no specific reference to military action.
“We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Cheney’s rhetorical ramblings, coupled with President Bush’s “World War III” reference run counter to any type of commitment on the U.S. to pursue a diplomatic solution with Iran.
We still are in need of a Tom Hagen. Where are you?
