by Mark Silva
The U.S. has no interest in a third major conflict at this time - meaning war in Iran - the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today.
Yet the military is concerned about the role that Iranians are playing in fighting in Iraq, and the military is contiuously planning for such contingencies -- and no one should underestimate the ability of U.S. forces to take on a third military challenge, Adm. Mike Mullen said today.
"A third conflict in this part of the world would be extremely stressing for us,'' Mullen said at a Defense Department briefing today. "That said, I have reserve capability, in particularly our Navy and our Air Force, not just there but available globally. So it would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capability...
"I have no expectations that -- you know -- that we're going to get into a conflict with Iran in the immediate future,'' he said. "In terms of having another conflict in that region, I certainly don't think that would be where we'd want to go right now.''
As the president has said many times, however, military options have not been removed from the table. "There are lots of potential military courses of action, depending on specifics that occurred. And I wouldn't want to prognosticate what those might be,'' Mullen said. "There are planning activities which occur routinely against possibilities -- and actually, those change over time, depending on the circumstances..
"But I am concerned over time just in these last couple years, you know, that tensions continue to rise, Iran does not respond, and in fact they seem to be ratcheting it up in terms of their support for terrorism. And I am concerned about where that goes in the long term.
"I think we need to continue to press, using all available means'' to pressure Iran to refrain from interfeering in Iraq, he said. "I am, however, where I have been in terms of using all elements of national power, whether it's economic or financial, international, diplomatic, and not taking any military options off the table. And I think it is in that combination that we have to continue to increase pressure.
"I've been clear lately that I'm extremely concerned about what I believe to be an increasingly lethal and malign influence by that government and the Qods Force in particular in Iraq and throughout the Middle East,'' the adminiral said today. "I believe recent events, especially the Basra operation, have revealed just how much and just how far Iran is reaching into Iraq to foment instability.
" Their support to criminal groups in the form of munitions and training, as well as other assistance they are providing and the attacks they are encouraging, continues to kill coalition and Iraqi personnel,'' he said. "The Iranian government pledged to halt such activities some months ago. It's plainly obvious they have not. Indeed, they seem to have gone the other way.
"Whether it goes all the way to the top, I haven't seen anything to confirm that,'' he said. "I have no smoking gun which could prove that the highest leadership is involved in this.''
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Comments
This news won't keep those on the radical left from denigrating the quality of our men and women in uniform and the technological might of the US military. They'll call our soldiers, sailors, and airmen "low hanging fruit" and say our forces aren't ready even though it's obvious that they are the finest and best equipped fighting force in the world.
The US military is ready for several contingencies and aggression from Iran is just one of them. It's better to be prepared for something you never have to do than to not be prepared for something you didn't anticipate.
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 5:12 PM
That sure must be music to the ears of the Republicans. They just got their marching orders from " The Military-Industrial Complex "!! Now, lets go out and cull the ranks of American men and women, of the middle class and the working class! Wake up, America, we will be at war with the world if the Republicans get in office!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 25, 2008 5:15 PM
"0017 SPEAKS"
JUST LIKE IN 2002, NO IAEA, MEANS WE THINK, BUT WE ARE NOT SURE, WE ARE GOING TO "NOW" LET THE INSPECTORS IN, WHILE WE GET THEIR "SPEECHES" TOGETHER.
ADMIRAL FALLON, WELL, I'M UNDER "EXECUTIVE" ORDER TO NOT DISCUSS THAT.
I'M NOT ADMIRAL FALLON, WELL OF COURSE HE COULD COME TO CONGRESS, HE ISN'T UNDER "EXECUTIVE ORDER" ANYMORE.
NO, I'M NOT ADMIRAL FALLON, I'M THE NEW GUY. I'M THE GUY ON THE GROUND, I HEAR THE VOICES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
I HEAR THE VOICES FROM THE DARKEN DOORS OF DICK CHENEY! NO IMMUNITY, NO OIL RECONCILIATION, 278 DAYS LEFT IN OFFICE.
ADMIRAL FALLON, WELL OF COURSE YOU CAN CALL HIM TO CONGRESS, HECK YOU CAN CALL YO MAMA TO CONGRESS BECAUSE WHAT THEY SAY GO!
NEXT QUESTION! JOINT CHIEF! YEA THAT'S ME, YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE. AND IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO ADMIRAL FALLON, THEN DO IT! BIG GUY. DO IT! CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN, I DON'T CARE!
Posted by: Roger Morris | April 25, 2008 5:15 PM
A third front would be a disaster for the United States. We can barely support the two fronts we already have.
Mullen seems to be operating on the fantasy "Short war scenario". Any conflict with Iran would turn into another long drawn out quagmire like Iraq. Just lobbying a few bombs and missiles won't get the job done. We can't "shock and awe" our way to victory. It just doesn't work.
The worst mistake in military strategy is underestimating your enemy. We did that in Iraq. Let's not repeat the same mistake in Iran.
Posted by: JT | April 25, 2008 5:16 PM
Why was Gates, just the other day, complaining that the USAF needed to send more assets to Iraq and Afg.? He was complaining about USAF foot dragging, I believe. Why? Is he a hateful liberal?
Actually, I think this was a pretty stupid comment for a smart guy like the JCS to make.
Time to call out the 'media multipliers' I guess.
Posted by: C.Morris | April 25, 2008 5:45 PM
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 5:12
Jeff, it's no insult to our military to recognize that it does have limits, and that it is not omnipotent and invincible. There are limits to what it can do, and what it should be called on to do. Being the best doesn't mean that US military is infintely capable.
Posted by: Michael | April 25, 2008 5:48 PM
For Jeff:
www.goarmy.com
Do your part. Show your quality. Show the radical left what a hero you are and volunteer for combat duty in Iraq. Show how strongly you believe what you say.
Posted by: Army of One | April 25, 2008 5:56 PM
"The worst mistake in military strategy is underestimating your enemy. We did that in Iraq. Let's not repeat the same mistake in Iran.
Posted by: JT | April 25, 2008 5:16 PM"
JT,
Looks like GWB will leave at least two wars where the enemy was underestimated; Afg. and Iraq.
Is the JCS greasing us up for the third unfinished project?
Posted by: C.Morris | April 25, 2008 6:04 PM
This news won't keep those on the radical left from denigrating the quality of our men and women in uniform and the technological might of the US military. They'll call our soldiers, sailors, and airmen "low hanging fruit" and say our forces aren't ready even though it's obvious that they are the finest and best equipped fighting force in the world.
The US military is ready for several contingencies and aggression from Iran is just one of them. It's better to be prepared for something you never have to do than to not be prepared for something you didn't anticipate.
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 5:12 PM
I can think of at least one guy who could make the situation better by enlisting, not spewing mindless wingnut talking points via keyboard.
Posted by: a blinkin | April 25, 2008 6:08 PM
We can afford to fight a three front war on China credit, but we can't afford national health? This is insanity.
Posted by: OldCreaky | April 25, 2008 6:11 PM
Yes, A Blinkin, I agree. You and John E should enlist immediately. I'll drive you guys to the recruiting station.
Michael, the US military has its limits, but the admiral clearly doesn't believe we've reached them and I don't, either.
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 6:18 PM
I say hit them! Iran and Saudi Arabia too!
Posted by: Bushman | April 25, 2008 6:29 PM
American conservatives want a Milky Way class military, but they don't want to pay for it.
Posted by: The Lenin Sisters | April 25, 2008 6:32 PM
I sure HOPE our military hasn't reached its limits. But our wallets sure have? Who would pay for this Third Bush War?
Maybe the Military Contractors could take a pay cut?
Posted by: athena | April 25, 2008 6:39 PM
I sure HOPE our military hasn't reached its limits. But our wallets sure have! Who would pay for this Third Bush War?
Maybe the Military Contractors could take a pay cut?
Posted by: athena | April 25, 2008 6:39 PM
I hear the VA is keeping a lid on the suicide stats re. Afghan and Iraq War vets. Guess that pushes the limits out even farther.
But I guess the conservative argument would be; 'They volunteered, so go ahead and commit hari-kari; We don't feel your pain'.
Hey, I'm goin' to Disneyland!
Posted by: Allajoke | April 25, 2008 6:42 PM
This news won't keep those on the radical left from denigrating the quality of our men and women in uniform and the technological might of the US military. They'll call our soldiers, sailors, and airmen "low hanging fruit" and say our forces aren't ready even though it's obvious that they are the finest and best equipped fighting force in the world.
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 5:12 PM
Wow, more toughguy talk from a rightwing lunitic fringer who refuses to sign up for military service himself because he's to afraid, Big Freaking Surprise!
If McCain or Clinton win the White House this fall you can expect to hear more mindless war chatter from chickenhawks like Jeff.
McCain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2kyXN4ZVQg
Clinton:
http://artistdogboy.blogspot.com/2008/04/does-hillarys-nuclear-umbrella-idea.html
Posted by: John E | April 25, 2008 6:48 PM
Call out the 'media multipliers'
Because theres something in the air
Weve got to nuke Iran sooner or later
Because the social convulsion is here
And you know its rightwing
And you know that its right-swing
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together now
Assault through the streets and alleys
Because there's shock and awe in the air
Weve got to 'service the targets' sooner or later
Because the triumph of the will is here
And you know its right-wing
And you know that its a fright
We have got to get it together
We have got to get it together now
Call out the inquisitor general
Because theres something in the air
Weve got to cause the Rapture sooner or later
Because the reconciliation is here
And you know its rightwing
And you know that its 'base-right'
We have got collateralize it together now.
(Thanks Tom Petty)
Posted by: C.Morris | April 25, 2008 6:57 PM
Michael, the US military has its limits, but the admiral clearly doesn't believe we've reached them and I don't, either.
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 6:18 PM
Testing those limits is a really bad idea Jeff. You never ever want to leave a military force with out an adequate reserve. A third war would be pushing the limts at the very least, and may well exceed them.. What happens if someone else decides to start another war at that point, or some disaster stikes here at home? Is an optional war with Iran worth that gamble?
Posted by: Michael | April 25, 2008 7:21 PM
Jeff = Juanito
Posted by: A universe far far away | April 25, 2008 7:21 PM
You can bet if the Republicans have anything to do with it we will be at war with a third front..Democrats need to rally behind HRC and end the wars..BRING OUR SOLDIERS HOME...Not send more to wars we can't and aren't winning.........By the way..Our Soldiers ARE THE BEST and could win if they didn't have all the politics over there also in the military...
Posted by: kaye m. | April 25, 2008 7:42 PM
Is that how you see it from the safety of your diverse little neighborhood Jeff? You talk a big game with other peoples lives. Why don't you leave it to the people who have been to war, military people Jeff, not keyboard pounders such as yourself. By the way big man, half those who are serving now are from the left...Americans all!
Posted by: bill r. | April 25, 2008 8:06 PM
Bill, you never have a problem with John E talking tough about how he's going to enlist while he sits safely home playing with his GI Joes. Hey John, how is Basra these days? I never knew they let people blog from there.
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 9:54 PM
Michael, you can never unequivocally say you won't go to war. All that would be doing is giving Iran a free pass to send weapons and troops into southern Iraq. Like Admiral Mullen said we have no plans to go to war with Iran, but being prepared for it keeps them honest and leaves our military with all its options on the table. I thought you understood that from the post but maybe I'm giving you too much credit. I dunno. You tell me.
Posted by: Jeff | April 25, 2008 9:59 PM
We have no troops. We have no money. Mullen must be on drugs. Getting things ready to keep the war machine going even after Cheney and his Chimp are out of office. Must keep the energy and defense dividends up. On Iraq--if they never call the game they never lose. That seems to be more important than the lives and beauty of our troops. Bring them home alive now. Send Cheney and Bush to Iraq now with the same armor they gave the troops. Send them now with the same exit strategy they gave the troops. Send them on as many tours that they continue to give the troops. Give them the stop-loss draft they continue to give the troops.
Posted by: Vivian | April 25, 2008 10:01 PM
Jeff,
Nice job of framing your own argument in your first post.
Aren't you some kind of journalist?
Posted by: Bubba | April 26, 2008 11:17 AM