We're the Ones Who Can Do a Double Somersault

We're staging an exercise in the Persian Gulf that will remind Iran that if they lash out after being hit by Israel, that even states that don't think much of Israel will join us to defend their oil imports. Let's not forget that Iran is the weak party in this confrontation.

Starting tomorrow, a lot of nations will signal their unwillingness to let Iran cut off oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz by staging naval maneuvers in the region:

Next week's maneuvers are unprecedented in scope. France, Japan, Jordan and New Zealand are among the more than 30 countries expected to take part in the exercise, which begins Sunday and lasts through Sept. 27. Some, such as Britain, will be contributing ships and other hardware. Others are sending personnel and observers.

In addition to the Gulf, anti-mine practice is planned for the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden, the gateway to the Red Sea that has been a focus of international efforts to fight Somali pirates.

I find it humiliating that our side continues to wring our collective hands over the prospect that Iran will fight back. This article warns of our best and brightest saying a regional war would erupt if we attack Iran's nuclear facilities.

We really need to stop using Iran's potential reactions as a reason for inaction. We've seen this impulse to justify doing nothing before.

We have far more power than Iran. And if Iran really tries to ignite a regional war, Iran will add power to our side as the Hormuz maneuvers show. If Iran is as reasonable and cautious as those who say we should accept (but deter) a nuclear Iran, why would Iran embark on a strategy that multiplies enemies?

Honest to God, we need General Ulysses Grant to step up and tell our best and brightest to get a freaking grip on their fears:

Oh, I am heartily tired of hearing about what Lee is going to do. Some of you always seem to think he is suddenly going to turn a double somersault, and land in our rear and on both of our flanks at the same time. Go back to your command, and try to think what are we going to do ourselves, instead of what Lee is going to do.

We must not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons. You want scary scenarios? Start there.

Maybe if we focused on how we will rip Iran a new one, Iran's rulers would get busy churning out reports from respected institutions describing how we will thwart anything Iran tries, so Iran should just remain meek as a mouse and not get us angry.