September 13, 2007
Iran, Israel and the 2008 election
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But if we want to avoid a repeat of the Iraq War, members of Congress, presidential candidates of both parties and others should at least start asking questions and demanding answers. What is the actual evidence of Iranian support of terrorists in Iraq? What's Iran's motive? If the United States is supporting an Iran-friendly government, why would Iran help insurgents, many of whom are anti-Iranian Sunnis, attack Americans?Our soldiers are now dying in Iraq to protect and arm a Shiite-dominated government that is close to Iran. Suppose we attack Iran. Might some of these Iraqis turn against our own soldiers in Iraq? Would we then have to join the Sunnis in their civil war?
Would war with Iran make Israel safer or more vulnerable? Are there other ways to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons?
Presidents may control events, but they are not immune from having to answer such questions before taking military action.
Raphael J. Sonenshein is a political scientist at Cal State Fullerton. His column appears here monthly.
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