The Corner  The one and only.  Holes in the Umbrella   In
Thailand, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that if Iran
acquires a nuclear-weapons capacity, the U.S. will respond with
“crippling” actions and is prepared to offer allies a “defense
umbrella” to prevent Iranian intimidation.  First, until now,
Iran acquiring nuclear weapons has been “unacceptable” to both
Clinton and President Obama. If that’s now “inoperative,” it’s
big — and unwelcome — news.  Second, would it not make sense to
use “crippling” actions now — in an attempt to prevent Iran from
acquiring nuclear weapons? For example bills sponsored by Sens.
Joe Lieberman and Jon Kyl and Reps. Brad Sherman and Mark Kirk
(and many others from both parties) would put serious pressure
on Iran’s rulers by cutting off their gasoline supplies.  Third:
How can we offer a “defense umbrella” to allies against a rain
of nuclear-tipped missiles at time when Congress appears to be
slashing missile-defense funding and development?