In my last diary I suggested we use nuclear arms as a carrot and stick approach with Iran. This was controversial for many of you. Today I want to make a couple things clear. First, we are getting ready to bomb Iran. Second, this will result in some unfortunate circumstances for our troops as they continue to retreat out of Iraq. Third, those criticizing the air strike will be made to look stupid.
Here are the goods on troop movements though.
Members of the Fort Wayne-based 122nd Fighter Wing are scheduled to leave for Southwest Asia about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday from the unit's headquarters on Ferguson Road. It represents the wing's largest single deployment since it was called to Chambley, France, in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis. This deployment is in support of ongoing operations in the U.S. Central Command Air Forces (CENTAF) area of responsibility, which includes Southwest Asia. The unit will deploy fighter pilots, as well as maintenance and support personnel.
So the 122nd out of Fort Wayne TX is flying out to operate in the Southwest Asian theater. They are a fighter squadron, F16s. For quick strikes in a hostile zone over mountainous terrain, the F16 is a good choice and can be converted with bunker busters easily. For example, in 1981 the IAF used F16s armed with 2000lb dumb bombs (Mk-84s) in their strike against the Osirak nuclear facility in Iraq.
There is always the possibility that the wing is going for some Afghan/Pak border patrols. But it does seem tempting even if they are there to have them fly over Iran and see just what all this nuclear stuff is about!
The attack though may cause some unanticipated consequences with our Shiite "friends" in Iraq. Is it necessary? No. But it is likely in my opinion. I would love to hear what others think on this point.
Finally there will be an impulse by many Democrats to object to this move. I am not arguing with that. But be careful about how you object. Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons and it is undoubtedly destabilizing if they attain them. But this brings me full circle. Iran has a lot of sway in the region and can make life miserable for our ground troops in Iraq. An attack against them will only inflame the situation in the region with some pretty bad results. Despite the stupidity of some of our recent maneuvers lately, we know enough to know this. So it seems counterintuitive that we would go ahead with this full throttle.
My guess? This is a dangerous negotiating game. We're telling Iran either cooperate or else. Lets wait and see whether they call us or not before we criticize the whole game.