Robert Dreyfuss worries about Iran catapulting onto the US foreign policy agenda, by hook or by crook. Here's the irony, and not for the first time. I honestly think Bob's skepticism about the (bi-partisan) national security establishment folks who believe the US can do something approaching engagement or accomodation with the Tehran regime is very similar to those he only seemingly ridicules in the Iran hawk crowd. The Iran hawks' real enemy at the moment are those who believe accomodation with Tehran is possible. And those accomodationists, as I understand the hawks' position, can be found in Bush's State Department as well as among certain Hill Republicans and Democrats. An Iran hawk told me frankly last night, as far as he's concerned, Bush has no Iran foreign policy, and isn't going to get one before the election. [He's not optimistic about a Kerry policy towards Iran either, for that matter.] Sure, the Iran hawks have friends in the Pentagon and the NSC. But...who's to say what a prospective Bush II 2 national security team would look like? Sure, a John Bolton - Iran hawk in chief - may emerge at the top of the CIA, or elsewhere. But the Iran hawks are sure to lose a few key allies in the Pentagon as well.

Posted by Laura at July 14, 2004 03:46 PM