Syria is an entry to war with Iran

By Frank Moraes

It is clear that John McCain wants a full out war in Syria with ground troops and the like because he wants a war with Iran. He is not alone in this. I believe that this is largely why most conservatives favor the war. And it is most certainly why all the neocons are on board with this. All of the Americans who claim to be such supporters of Israel are always for attacking Iran because the current conservative Israeli government wants that. But I think this goes deeper than just "protection of Israel." For one thing, it is not at all clear that attacking Iran is good for Israel.

I think this all goes back to 4 November 1979: the Iranian hostage crisis. Conservatives in America hold remarkably long grudges. We haven't had official relations with Cuba for over 50 years. Why? I really don't know. Certainly, we didn't have any more of a problem with them than we had with the Soviet Union. What is the big deal? Well, I suppose I know what the big deal is. Cuba is a small enough country that we could get away with our childish behavior. The Soviet Union was not.

The same thing is going on with Iran. As "evil" governments go, Iran is quite good. It has created great stability in the region. And if we want the country to liberalize, we ought to, you know, open up the lines of communication. Word is that the people of Iran are quite positive towards us. I am well aware that liberals as well as conservatives use the same trilogy of terror ("axis of evil") rhetoric. But I really think that if the conservatives like John McCain could just get over their ego hits about the embassy attack, we might be able to have a reasonable relationship with that country and do actual good for its people.

This is all speculation, of course. But we really seem to be focused on Syria. And I understand why liberals are focused on it: Obama blew it. He backed himself into a corner with his talk of "red lines." Advice to the president: never talk about red lines. The conservatives, however, are interested in Syria in a larger sense. It is part of the bigger reshaping of the Middle East. That Iraq War went so well, maybe they think they can install a Syrian government that is even more allied with Iran. Just kidding. War with Syria is just one step away from war with Iran. And if these conservatives are really lucky, maybe they can get a third world war with Russia!

The real question now is whether or not we are going to go to war with Syria for silly reasons. Are we going to attack them because the president can't admit to a mistake? Are we going to because conservatives hope to start a regional war? Because that's the coalition. Once again, the American people are too smart to buy any of it. Like most people the world over, we just want to get on with our lives. We may be horrified about what's happening in Syria. (I certainly hope so!) But we know starting a new war isn't the way to help. And those who are for war have different agendas entirely.

(Cross-posted at Frankly Curious.)