Blind Alley

In view of the gigantic economic and social problems with which the United States is currently plagued, foreign policy played only a marginal role in Obama’s State of the Union speech. But the president didn’t ignore the problem of Iran. In addition to the formula that all options were on the table, he also left open the possibility of preemptive attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. After all, his Republican opponent in November may bring up foreign policy, where Iran will take center stage: Obama has been too lax in his dealing with Iran; much more aggressive tactics are needed because Iran’s supposed effort to build nuclear weapons is America’s number one threat.

That and the negotiated IAEA visit in Tehran formed the backdrop for the recent television interview with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. The Pentagon chief not only stirred up fear of a potential Iranian atomic bomb that could be developed as early as one year from now, he also threatened to use military force to prevent that from happening. During the presidential campaign over the coming months, the question will be whether Obama is allowing himself to be driven into a political blind alley where the sword is seen as the only solution to untying the Gordian knot.