>>>How about stopping Israel building settlements in the west bank and pulling troops out of Afghanistan for starters. Reducing military spending and concentrating armed forces on protecting homeland rather than spurious overseas interests. BTW I include the UK in this I'm not just saying its a US problem.
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>>Whatever the merits of those actions, it would have no effect whatsoever on Iran. Reducing military spending would be counter-productive (though spending it more thoughtfully would be a good idea)
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>>For the record, I don't think the US or Britain attacking Iran would accomplish anything other than the negative consequences you and Walter mention. At some point Israel's crippling the nuclear program if possible would depend on information none of us have ( but the Israelis might)
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>>But helping those in Iran who would like to see democratic government in whatever way we can that is not counter-productive - I could see that. You can't change a government with bombs - at least not with any certainty you are going to like the result. But you can effect personal changes in a more targeted way.
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>I assume you meant personnel there.

<bg> Did indeed. Personal change is more difficult - and certainly beyond the expertise of an H&K 7.62mm fitted with a suppressor <s>

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>I have said before that we'd get better results by dropping consumer goods than bombs. Fridge freezers with a three year service contract then in 2013 you've got them where you want them. Addicted to the good life.

<s> And if you drop the freezers strategically you may accomplish the personnel changes referenced above. ( great episode of the sitcome WKRP, years ago, in which a Thanksgiving promotion dropping turkeys from a helicopter went awry when Les Nesman used frozen turkeys ... )