The U.N. has, as usual, been completely impotent, and I think there’s an excellent chance that we will one day find out that the former director of the IAEA, Mohamed ElBaradei, was actively running interference on Iran’s behalf.

When this all started, the idea that Iran even wanted nuclear weapons was considered a sign of being a crazed right-winger. This position has evolved somewhat.

Now the idea that Iran can’t be trusted with nuclear weapons because they’re fanatics is considered a bizarre view.

The U.N. is useless on restraining tyrants and lunatics, and has been for decades. Iran is going to do whatever it wants unless someone stops them by force. I don’t have enough information on Iran’s setup to know how much force that would require, but there are plenty of people who do.

I was pleased by the software attacks, which may have bought some time without having to bomb anyone. A good approach. Maybe there are other things along those lines that can be tried.

I suspect that when it comes down to it, a military attack on Iran, if it happens and whoever organizes it, is going to have a lot of support from Iran’s neighbors, although most of it will be under the table.

It’s worth remembering that the First Gulf War on Iraq in 1990 was the means by which Saddam’s nuclear program at that time was dismantled.

What is ‘your’ proposal?

It’s hard to imagine any back channel between Israel and Iran and that makes this situation more difficult. Others do the negotiating for them with their own political/economic self-interests at the forefront. Who speaks for the mothers of Israel and Iran? (Don’t laugh, I’m serious)

Some people are treating this like a schoolyard fight, onlookers circled around two kids waiting for the fists to fly. Times have changed. There’s a definite possibility that one of the kids has a 9mm in his backpack and he’s going to kill his opponent and the spectators. The possible consequences of an Israeli strike are not unforeseen.

In 1981, Israel got away with bombing Iraq’s nuclear site- but at a when time Iraq was busy fighting a war with Iran. This time all eyes are on Israel, and Iran suffers no military distraction. It’ll be different.

And it’s not like they’re the only ones banging the drums.