The Case for War

This picture is of new Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. You may have heard in recent weeks he has called for Israel to be wiped off the earth and other Iranian officials have called for the destruction of the United States. Iran has also said they will continue to develop their nuclear program. So, here we are, a country who has called for our destruction and gladly claims to want to explore greater nuclear technology. Unfortunately the only real option we have in dealing with Iran is through diplomatic efforts. And why is this? Because we have significant military investment in the war in Iraq.

And with that is the whole reason the case for war in Iraq was flawed. It is not as if this war is not a noble effort to provide democracy to a struggling country under a tyrannical maniac. I wish we could do this everywhere where a vicious dictator ruled, but unfortunately we cannot because the cost comprises our own security. Now we cannot stand up to the likes of Iran and North Korea because we are mired fighting an insurgency in Iraq. The reason war in Iraq was not warranted is not no WMD, or that Bush lied to the American people, it is that the opportunity cost of this war is too great.

Opportunity cost is an economic term referring to what you give up by doing something else, i.e. by going to a football game I would be unable to go to the gym.. I think, and have thought, this concept has completely been lost in discussions about the war in Iraq. Since our military has been stretched thin with this war we have not been able to focus as much on Afghanistan and we leave ourselves vulnerable against rogue governments like Iran and North Korea, who present much more of a threat than Iraq ever did.

I don't think Iran is serious about really doing anything, just a lot of talk. If they wanted war with Israel or the U.S. it would be pretty simple to awaken these to large military powers. They aren't that dumb. But they do pose a threat, and we must walk on thin ice with these maniacs. Unfortunately, that ice would be a lot thicker if we had more military options.