Tom,

The Hitler comparison is quite valid, especially with respect to the present president (whose election took Washington completely by surprise). There is a reason for the ascendency of Mahmud Ahmadinejad, beyond jihadic rhetoric. Iran faces a very bleak future. Oil exports may well stop by 2020; and the population is quickly aging. There is not a sufficient economy to support 12 million or so pensioners by mid-century. Did you know that Ahmadinejad proposes to relocate 30 million people, Stalin-style? This would serve the purpose of controlling a restive population more easily. Ahmadinejad is a thorough-going totalitarian.

Iran may well attempt to seize the whole central asian oil distribution system. There is building desperation.

So, obviously appeasement is not the way to go. But I think our military needs to be complemented with a more sophisticated diplomacy, coordinated with other nations who recognize the threat. Some considerable screws can be turned on Iran, while various pragmatic solutions to Iran's economic problems can be considered. We need to keep dialoguing, while aiming a loaded gun. This takes finesse.