US President George W. Bush said he hoped to resolve the nuclear dispute with Iran with diplomacy, but warned Tehran he would "use military might" if necessary to defend Israel."The threat from Iran is, of course, their stated objective to destroy our strong ally Israel. That's a threat, a serious threat. It's a threat to world peace," the US president said after a speech defending the war in Iraq.
"I made it clear, and I'll make it clear again, that we will use military might to protect our ally Israel," said Bush, who was apparently referring to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's call for the destruction of Israel.
Some will try to play it up as the United States being in the pocket of Israel, but that line of argument will just expose its adherents as anti-Semites. It is illogical to condemn a nation that vows to help protect another in the event of a devastating nuclear attack. This statement by the President will also make the nervous clerics and moderates in Iran even more nervous about the path their President is taking them down. Teddy Roosevelt said speak softly and carry a big stick. In this instance, Bush is twirling the stick to remind Iranian moderates that it is still there and to encourage them to use their influence to moderate Ahmadinejad's line.
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