Essay: Iran and the Military Option

When politicians, pundits, and prognosticators discuss the "military option" for Iran it is important to understand that it will in all likelihood result in a full scale international armed conflict. If the "military option" mission is to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities, there is no one target to destroy, bomb, or obliterate that will render Iran's nuclear program dead therefore making such an option unlikely to be quick or efficient. A conflict with Iran would involve an extensive air campaign and probably result in Iran launching missiles at Israel and Eastern Europe. The Persian Gulf would effectively be closed off as a result of maritime combat and the worldwide threat of terrorist attacks would have far reaching consequences.

The cost of armed conflict with Iran is incalculable with the potential to further destabilize the region as well as the global economy.