  Sometimes war is necessary. That was clearly true in
Afghanistan in 2001 but less clear regarding Iraq in 2003. What
are the goals? How are they to be gained? In what way can a war
be brought to an end? How is victory defined? These are all
serious issues.  Regarding a war with Iran, all of the above is
especially true. Iran is a large country with a population of
nearly 80 million. A sizable portion of that population – the
ones with the guns – is ideologically fanatical. The idea that a
few planes will drop bombs, return home, and then victory can be
declared is naïve.  While war with Iran might be eventually
inevitable and necessary, that’s not true at this moment. And
such an operation poses some serious problems for the United
States.  On the positive side, not a single Arab state would
lift a finger to help Iran. The moderates would be happy that
Israel bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, hope it succeeded, and
demand that the United States keep them out of any fighting. The
radical Sunni Islamists wou