I hope that the election doesn't end up getting decided over Iran/Israel

[Proud Liberal Dem]

Foreign policy is, of course, a legitimate topic of debate in Presidential elections, however, I am VERY concerned about the way the "debate" over what to do in regards to Iran is unfolding and I am concerned about the prospect that decisions might be made in regards to Iran on the basis of political calculations made by Israeli leaders (and our own) and NOT what is really best for the country and, more importantly, the world.

I believe that President Obama is a serious, educated, and well-informed person and it's clear to me that he is not itching for war with Iran nor do I really think he's going to be goaded into it by Netanyahu nor his Republican opponents. However, it greatly concerns me that the Republicans' politicking over Iran and even working behind-the-scenes with Netanyahu to pressure President Obama into a military conflict with Iran runs a real risk of destabilizing a tense situation that could, realistically, end up bring on military conflict in the end that should not even be necessary even if it's not us that pushes the button.

I wholeheartedly agree with President Obama that there has been far too much "loose talk" about war with Iran and Republicans IMHO need to sit down and STFU and let President Obama manage the situation how he sees fit while he is in office and stop attempting to undermine him. Although I do not want to see things come to military conflict nor do I believe that it is what President Obama wants, I have every confidence that if military action ends up being necessary, President Obama will make the responsible decision but, in the meantime, the interests of world peace and stability are NOT going to be served by a bunch of politicians here and in Israel running around urging President Obama to hurry up and pull the trigger before all other avenues have been exhausted and all other considerations taken into account.

Foreign policy decisions are NOT like domestic policy decisions like "Obamacare" that can just be kicked around and they should not be treated so carelessly (recklessly) by Republicans IMHO. This is not even to mention the fact that, for all of their bluster, a Republican President, if elected in November, is going to find it harder than they might think to muster the support of the American public, other countries, and, most importantly, the military to actually make good on their rhetoric and then what?

My ultimate worry is, of course, that they will manage to fool a lot of people into believing that their very survival (or their patriotism, if Jewish), depends on defeating President Obama and electing somebody who acts like their very first official act in office will be to launch a war with Iran.

[obxhead]

1. There are degrees of involvement.

I don't see a full on invasion of Iran no matter what. Orchestrated strikes on specific targets are quite possible however, which will throw us right back into a severe bloody conflict in both Afghanistan and Iraq as Iran fights back.

Obama has put himself in a lose - lose situation though with his tough talk. I see a very real possibility of TPB picking the fight for him at this point. Hell, they don't care who starts it as long as they can profit from it.

I personally say let 'em have the nukes. The FACT is they will get them in the end anyway. Their 4 or 6 or 50 nukes will simply be no real threat to the rest of the world while the US, Russia, China, and India sit on thousands upon thousands of them as a deterrent. Let them have them, get the "signature" of the weapons so if one ever pops in a terror attack it points directly back at them. Once Iran knows they will be blamed if one goes off, their nukes will do the same thing everyone's does, sit in a hole underground.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. It's insane

countries that have thousands or hundreds of nukes being afraid of a small, middle eastern country that might get 1 or 2. Makes our "fear" over Iraq seem even more absurd.

[kirby]

3. You can be sure we will do what Israel wants...

Regardless of party...

Of course if a Republican was President right now, they would be saying that the US speaks with one voice on foreign policy manners and criticizing Democratic candidates for ramping up the rhetoric.