More support for The Arab Mind

Ralph Peters writes about Iran's infiltration of Iraq and its support of Moqtada al-Sadr. He notes:

any halt short of the annihilation of the killers who want to destroy the future of Iraq, will be read throughout that troubled country and the greater Islamic world as a resounding victory for the terrorists. They'll be viewed as having defeated the U.S. military, stopping it in its tracks.

Reality is immaterial. In the Middle East, perception trumps facts. Only uncompromising strength impresses our enemies. The president can't afford to listen to the counsels of caution.

He's right, but then he doesn't have to clear his opinions with the JAG. I think there's plenty of evidence to support going after Iran's mullahs, but can you imagine what a Senate debate authorizing military action there would be like?

I'm not sure Bush has the support at home that he needs to take on Iran.