US to Iran: "Stop hitting yourself"
As you read the BBC article laying out the existent "triggers" for launching an attack on Iran, keep in mind that the US is currently engaged in a strategy of "pinpricks" toward the Iranian regime.
Asia Times has an article writing around US "black ops" in Iran. Frankly, they produce nothing concrete, but US "support" for "anti-government ethnic minority groups" is certain.
So, as the US sets this hard trigger for an attack on Iran, understand that this administration is also poking Iran in the eye and daring them to cross that line.
Asia Times has an article writing around US "black ops" in Iran. Frankly, they produce nothing concrete, but US "support" for "anti-government ethnic minority groups" is certain.
So, as the US sets this hard trigger for an attack on Iran, understand that this administration is also poking Iran in the eye and daring them to cross that line.
posted by mikevotes at
7:40 AM
2 Comments:
Vanity Fair is calling war with Iran a "done-deal". Can Congress block it in your opinion?
By
Praguetwin, at 11:40 AM
Yes and no.
Technically, they could craft legislation outlawing any hostilities with Iran, but I don't think they would because of the current balance of the relationship.
Even if they did, warmaking powers have become so muddied since WWII that its effectiveness would be kind of questionable.
Under longstanding cold war era law, the President has the ability to "respond" to hostilities, but that is loosely defined and has been stretched and abused by presidents of both parties. (I think the limitation is 90 days without approval.)
So, what does that mean and where is the line?
I am not an expert, but in the end, I would guess that the matter would be decided in the courts after the fact.
If the Bush administration wanted to "respond" to Iranian hostilities, more than likely they could.
As to whether those hostilities were enough would be a later matter for the courts.
So, yes, the administration could launch a war on pretext without Congressional approval although technically it wouldn't be a war.
It would then be up to the Congress to respond which more than likely would be fast tracked to the Supreme Court.
(I just don't see them passing legislation to stop an Iran war beforehand.)
Again, not an expert, but that's my read.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 1:13 PM
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