March to War Against Iran

The media and many in both political parties will try to convince you that Iran is a serious threat to our national security and the security of our allies. Unsurprisingly, the media hasn't learned it's lesson from the Iraq war and are uncritically passing on incorrect and biased information that moves our country ever so closer toward military intervention with Iran. If the Iraq and Afghanistan war hasn't shown you the limits of waging war abroad, I don't know what can convince you otherwise.

As of right now, I'm completely opposed to any military action against Iran or even economic sanctions. Iran is close to an internal revolution and opposition leaders to Ahmadinejad state that sanctions will only create more hardships for those who are trying to change the regime in Tehran. Also, military action against another Middle East country will cement American hatred for a generation with the otherwise western-friendly population of Iran.

With that being said, journalist Juan Cole of Salon wrote an article on the "Top ten things you didn't know about Iran." The article separates the truth and misconceptions about Iran and the threat they pose.
Preview:

Belief: Iran is aggressive and has threatened to attack Israel, its neighbors or the U.S.

Reality: Iran has not launched an aggressive war [in] modern history (unlike the U.S. or Israel), and its leaders have a doctrine of "no first strike." This is true of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as of Revolutionary Guards commanders.

War with Iran would be another unjust war and create far more problems than refraining from action.

It's useful to keep in mind the warnings of the Founding Fathers as the media and politicians beat the drums of war against Iran.

Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give away to its dictates. The violent destruction of life and property incident to war; the continual effort and alarm attendant on a state of continual danger, will compel nations the most attached to liberty, to resort for repose and security to institutions which have a tendency to destroy their civil and political rights. To be more safe, they, at length, become willing to run the risk of being less free. - Federalist No. 8

Stay tuned.