DBWI: Should Bush Have Launched the Airstrikes Into Iran, 2008

(OOC: The following POD is based on the recent disclosures by The Inheritance: The World Obama Confronts and the Challenges to American Power by David E. Sanger, wherein it was revealed that Bush called off plans by Israel to attack Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on August 2008)

With the United States now facing the threat of entering a third war front in the Middle East with Iran, along with the continuing crisis with the upsurge in violence in Iraq and Afghanistan, do you think the Bush administation made the right call by attacking the Natanz nuclear facility with 2 F-18s on August 05, 2008? What effect do you think it had on the outcome of the 2008 election? Considering the unpopularity of the action, what effect do you think the action had with the international community?
 
It's to early to tell. On one hand, it made little to no effect in military terms and didn't hurt the nuclear program at all. On the other hand, it showed that the US was willing to play hardball and it prompted Iran to the negotiating table. Using proxies the way Iran does is a sign of desperation.
 
It's to early to tell. On one hand, it made little to no effect in military terms and didn't hurt the nuclear program at all. On the other hand, it showed that the US was willing to play hardball and it prompted Iran to the negotiating table. Using proxies the way Iran does is a sign of desperation.
But it also has put America on a war-footing with 3 nations. This alone has Capitol Hill having to consider a return to the military draft, according to Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Furthermore, Iran retaliated rather quickly by coordinating the OPEC embrago, just before the November elections. With oil currently at c.$5.75/gallon, it is going to be next to impossible to prevent the financial collapse of at least one of the automakers....
 
But it also has put America on a war-footing with 3 nations. This alone has Capitol Hill having to consider a return to the military draft, according to Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Furthermore, Iran retaliated rather quickly by coordinating the OPEC embrago, just before the November elections. With oil currently at c.$5.75/gallon, it is going to be next to impossible to prevent the financial collapse of at least one of the automakers....

And that's not to mention the effects of the increased attacks in Iraq that intel seems to indicate Iran's behind...
 
And that's not to mention the effects of the increased attacks in Iraq that intel seems to indicate Iran's behind...
The sad fact is that Russia and the People's Republic of China have openly said they will veto any American measure for military force before the United Nations Security Council. Apparently Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made a deal for a steady flow of oil to those countries, in exchange for political security...
 

ninebucks

Banned
Anyone who says 'yes' is a fool, Natanz was an entirely civilian institution, and the airstrike took 67 innocent lives.

This wreckless war crime destroyed any chance of a pro-Western peace in Iraq.

The fact is that Bush committed this war crime for entirely political reasons, and Barack Obama should surrender him to international prosecution.
 
Anyone who says 'yes' is a fool, Natanz was an entirely civilian institution, and the airstrike took 67 innocent lives.

This wreckless war crime destroyed any chance of a pro-Western peace in Iraq.

The fact is that Bush committed this war crime for entirely political reasons, and Barack Obama should surrender him to international prosecution.

That's an iffy proposition. Remember, Bush barely escaped the impeachment vote in September. (Damned Lieberman! Reid had it exactly right when he did what he had to do! :mad:) Bush's 17% approval ratings at the end indicate there's a willingness to put him on trial in the US.

At least this sank HRC's chance at a spot in the cabinet!

Let's just hope Bill Richardson can get through the Sec State confirmation hearings!
 
The sad fact is that Russia and the People's Republic of China have openly said they will veto any American measure for military force before the United Nations Security Council. Apparently Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made a deal for a steady flow of oil to those countries, in exchange for political security...

Indeed. Over here in Japan the worry's what DPRK's going to do....
 
That's an iffy proposition. Remember, Bush barely escaped the impeachment vote in September. (Damned Lieberman! Reid had it exactly right when he did what he had to do! :mad:) Bush's 17% approval ratings at the end indicate there's a willingness to put him on trial in the US.

At least this sank HRC's chance at a spot in the cabinet!

Let's just hope Bill Richardson can get through the Sec State confirmation hearings!
Another major effect was Obama's sacking of Defense Secretary Robert Gates for General Antonio M. Taguba (ret.). Who would have guessed a year ago that the general who blew the whistle on the Abu Gharib scandal would be called to reform the military?

As for the unpopularity of Bush, it was a sad sight seeing FOX-TV and Bill O'Reilly touting the campaign of Ralph Nader in a failed attempt to prevent a rout of the Republican Party from the Senate.
 
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