Top US admiral says strike on Iran means turmoil

[Ichingcarpenter]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - White House military adviser Adm. Mike Mullen said on Sunday he was concerned that any U.S. or Israeli strike on Iran carried a notable risk of more turmoil in the Middle East.
"I think it would be significant. I worry about it a lot," Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the "Fox News Sunday" television program.

"I worry about the instability in that part of the world and ... the possible unintended consequences of a strike like that," Mullen said.
He said it would be difficult to predict the impact throughout the region or what actions the United States would have to take to contain it.

"Right now I'm fighting two wars, and I don't need a third one," Mullen said, speaking of U.S. military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. But he quickly added the U.S. military would be capable of handling another front.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N20332857.htm

[Trajan]

1. This series of statements by Mullen on Iran these last weeks ...

Represents the thinking of the Generals corp in the US Military ....

No matter HOW much Cheney and his PNAC cohorts want war with Iran, there will be none ...

It was always questionable from a strategic standpoint, and the JCS knows it ....

[MilesColtrane]

4. It's not quite the slam dunk you think it is.

As Wiki says:

Although the office of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is considered very important and highly prestigious, neither the Chairman nor the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a body have any command authority over combatant forces. The chain of command runs from the President to the Secretary of Defense directly to the commanders of the Unified Combatant Commands.

Then there's always the possibility of firing his ass, just as Bush did with CENTCOM commander Adm. Fallon. (He was replaced by Petreaus, ever the good soldier that guy.)

Besides, in Bush and Cheney's minds a couple of thousand tons of bombs dropped do not a war make.

[Arctic Dave]

2. File this under D for, duh. n/t

[Eurobabe]

3. Rather file under NSS, for no shit sherlock. n/t

[jeff30997]

5. "strike on Iran carried a notable risk of more turmoil in the Middle East"

But,but I was sure that it would bring Peace,Joy and Prosperity over-there!!!:wow:

[lovuian]

6. US Military don't want it, Congress doesn't want it,People don't

only Bush Cheney and Israel wants it

[lark]

12. You forgot Liarman - He wants it badly

war on Iran that is.

[THale2]

7. Bush only listens to commanders

when it fits his purpose..."Oh the commanders say its too dangerous to have a timetable withdrawal not me" urrt...I am sure he wont listen to their opinions on Iran though...

[leveymg]

11. That's only fair, because the commanders haven't listened to him for 3 or 4 years.

Bush lost his nuke priviledges, and the FBI, CIA and NSA are watching the neocons
Those who haven't been fired or indicted, have had their plugs pulled.

It's called "removal in place", explained here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/2/18/10343/6778

[Overseas]

8. Wish he'd tell son & grandson of Admirals, John Sidney McCain III. /nt

[sarcasmo]

9. If we brought Democracy to Iran it would certainly work.

On edit: Do I really need a sarcasm tag?

[pleah]

10. OMFG! No shit! n/t

[lib2DaBone]

15. Turmoil????

WTF? How about Nukuler(sic) Fallout and the skin melting off human beings for thousands of miles around? How about the Straights of Hormuz closed and all oil to the US cut off indefinitely while Sun-Burn Missiles fly everywhere? Would that cause a little "Turmoil" General? I cannot even think of the words to comment on the stupidity of these people.

[bdamomma]

13. excuse me Adm Mullen

the world does not need this war.

[superconnected]

14. Remember all the generals who advised against Iraq. Bushco didn't care.

[daggahead]

16. Bush would only listen to those Generals on the ground ...

... and by "on the ground," I mean on their knees "servicing" governor Bush.

[Megahurtz]

17. Good thing someone with clout is speaking up. n/t