January 12, 2012 | 2:39 am

Must Read, January 12, 2012

Posted by Shmuel Rosner

An Iranian soldier takes part in military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, January 2012. (Photo: Reuters)

Five Reasons Not to Attack Iran

Writing in The Diplomat, Adam B. Lowther of the U.S. Air Force’s Air University presents his own reasons why the United States should think again before launching any kind of military assault on Iran.

“Iran possesses what is likely the most capable military the United States has faced in decades. Iran is no Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Serbia, Afghanistan or Iraq. In all of these examples, the U.S. military defeated an adversary incapable of competing with superior American land, naval, and air forces. The Iranian military is far more competent and capable, and after watching the war in Iraq for a decade has a good understanding of U.S. tactics and strategy.”

Syrian Actress Becomes Star of Protests Against Regime of Bashar al-Assad

The Daily Beast profiles Fadwa Soliman, whose opposition to the Syrian president is made that much more powerful by the fact that she, like Assad, is Alawite. 

“I want the international community to look again at the way it is handling things. I want Syrian ambassadors around the world to be kicked out. I’m wondering if all of them are scared of Bashar al-Assad. Can’t they do anything about him?”

Paul’s Movement is Romney’s Headache

Writing in the National Journal, Major Garrett argues that likely Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will have to keep Ron Paul sweet

“...it’s clear Paul’s movement - one fifth of the vote in Iowa and nearly a quarter in New Hampshire - cannot be ignored. Paul’s flirtation with a third party run is but one dimension of this budding drama. If Paul doesn’t run as an independent, you can bet he will seek specific policies in the 2012 platform and a prominent role at the convention.”

A League of Their Own

Former Jordanian foreign minister Marwan Muasher writes in Foreign Policy that the Arab League now has the opportunity to shake off its image as a toothless entity, and embrace its own Arab Spring.

“There are questions of whether the Arab League’s newfound tenacity is due to the influence of some of its major players—Saudi Arabia on Syria and Qatar on Libya—or whether its newly found proactiveness is an indication of a willingness by member states to allow the League to play a more meaningful role in Arab affairs.”

Ottomans Blame Zionists for Collapse

Another Jewish conspiracy rears its head, this time from an unlikely source, and with an unlikely target.

“The Ottoman state did not collapse in a year or two, or even ten or twenty years. It began when Sultan Abdulhamid made his decision in his meeting with Dr. Herzl. Herzl made several requests to meet Sultan Abdulhamid, and he was refused – once, twice, and three times.”

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