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March 13, 2006
Scare tactics
Well, when those missiles slam into the Iranian nuclear facilities, don't say I didn't warn you.
Niall Ferguson's Telegraph Op-Ed, Watch out, this lame duck president has nothing to lose, is the most recent in a series of articles that foretells a preemptive strike against Iran or, barring that, World War III. The most alarming article, The origins of the Great War of 2007-- and how it could have been prevented, would have sent me into hysteria... if anyone else had seemed to match his concern. In short, he predicts that the United States' unwillingness to adhere to its preemption policy will precipitate a nuclear exchange between Israel and Iran. Certainly, nuclear Iran is on the top of a very short list of issues that is simmering on the international agenda, but despite Ferguson's bluster, the United States does not seem to be the frontrunner.
Of course, that may be changing, as Ferguson suggests, as the President toughens up his rhetoric and tries to refocus Americans on the threats they face. Is this what the first stages of manufactured consent feel like? Bush's greatest triumph may be that he has changed the terms of debate among many, if not most, Americans. Six years ago, who among us sat with friends and handicapped our chances of invading uncooperative states, or wrangled with troop deployment figures, imagining with a mix of wonder and disgust at the possibility of occupying still more of Southwest Asia. The real coup is the acceptance that these are reasonable topics of discussion.
There ought to be a special place for Dr. Ferguson as this drama unfolds. He should remain responsible for his public positions, whether the Iran situation subsides or explodes. I'll do my best to follow the arc of his alarm and condeming certainty.
Posted by Henry Shepherd at March 13, 2006 11:12 AM
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