Does the Middle East have some sort of sick sex appeal when it comes to pompous militaristic bloviating by republicans?  This is what Senator John McCain has to say about American Security Threats:

“The greatest single threat that we are facing right now to our national security is Iran,” he said. “If they get that weapon, and they have the capability to deliver it, put yourself in the position of the government of the state of Israel. This could be one of the most unsettling and difficult challenges that we have ever faced.”

Senator John McCain seems to forget that unlike Iran, North Korea likely is in possesion of at least one nuclear weapon. Moreover, North Korea is ruled by a maniac dictator that has shown previous indifference to starving his entire country.

Iran doesn’t have nuclear weapons. Its government appears to want them, but unless our ally Pakistan gave them a couple, they don’t have any at this point.

So who is the larger threat to America?

In a stunning show of bravado, Senator John McCain today discussed using the United States military to disarm Iran:

As the Bush administration and its European allies pursue a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff, some top lawmakers from both parties pressed for a more vigorous approach today, including the option of military action.

“There’s only one thing worse than the United States exercising the military option,” Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, said, “and that is Iran having nuclear weapons.”

Senator Pat Roberts, not exactly a pacifist, later said:

Reflecting the split among Republicans, Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said today that talk of the military option was premature.

“I would never rule that out,” he said on CBS, “but at this particular time, I just do not think that is any kind of an alternative.”

Look at McCain trying to get out in front of the republican party and be the lead hawk on Iran.  He apparently thinks this will help his credentials with GOP primary voters.  Why do I think this?  Pat Roberts would not hesitate to talk up war if it was at all a possibility.  Anyone who goes to the right of Roberts on the issue of defense is just grandstanding.  Personally, I think talking about war to further a political gain is reprehensible.

Senator John McCain is talking up the threat of Iran while continuing to support the war in Iraq. From NewsMax:

Sen. John McCain said Sunday that Iran’s bid for nuclear weapons is the most serious foreign policy crisis since the end of the Cold War.

“A nuclear capability in Iran is unacceptable,” he told “Fox News Sunday.”

If he was truly serious about Iran as a threat, he would support the removal of American troops from Iraq. How can we force Iran to give up nuclear weapons if our troops are committed elsewhere. Additionally, where is the evidence for this nuclear buildup. The Iranians have said they are pursuing nukes, but how far are they from getting what they need? Can we really trust a republican to tell the truth about wartime intelligence?