This comment stood out in an AP story about Barack Obama’s reaction to Iran’s missile tests. Obama said Iran “must suffer threats of economic sanctions with direct diplomacy opening up channels of communication so we avoid provocation, but we give strong incentives for the Iranians to change their behavior.” Leave aside the question of what it means to “suffer threats of economic sanctions.” Who is being provocative? Iranian leaders repeatedly threaten the destruction of Israel. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad mused publicly about “the goal” of “a world without America and Zionism.” Iran is the world’s foremost state sponsor of anti-Western terror and the Iranian regime has supplied countless EFPs responsible for killing American soldiers in Iraq. Four days ago, the Iranian regime threatened “blitzkreig tactics” from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in the event of a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran. Iran’s state-run news agency quoted General Mohammad Ali Jafari: “The Guards are equipped with the most advanced missiles that can strike the enemies’ vessels and naval equipment with fatal blows.” And then today we saw those advanced missiles, including the Sahab-3, capable of striking Israel. And Barack Obama is worried about the U.S. appearing provocative? This, after a U.S.-backed proposal that would provide Iran with nuclear power and trade normalization for just suspending its uranium enrichment? UPDATE: John McCain’s senior foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann has this to say:
