UK CONFIRMS IRAN MISSILE TESTS – AT 8:56 A.M. ET:  While our own government debates the pace of withdrawal from the region, Britain confirms Iranian tests of missiles capable of reaching American bases, southern Europe, and Israel.  From WaPo:

LONDON — Britain’s foreign secretary says Iran has conducted covert tests of ballistic missiles alongside a 10-day program of public military maneuvers.

William Hague told the House of Commons on Wednesday that there had been secret experiments with missiles and rocket launchers.

Iran is conducting 10 days of war games in an apparent show of strength to the West and on Tuesday fired 14 missiles in public tests.

Britain believes Tehran has conducted at least three secret tests of medium-range ballistic missiles since October.

COMMENT:  What we are seeing is a replay of the late 1930s, when Germany was rapidly building its arsenal, and those who warned about it were called warmongers.  The free nations, especially the United States, fell well behind in war preparations.  (When World War II broke out, the United States Army ranked 15th in the world.)

It is hard to accept today, but Winston Churchill was kept off the BBC in the late thirties by a director who thought him an extremist for his warnings about Germany. 

There are those who argue that Iran is a diversion, that we should really be worrying about China, which is also rapidly building its arsenal.  We should be worrying about both, but we don't have the leadership in Washington to explain the importance of China and Iran to the American people.  We are now preoccupied with economic matters, as we were in the thirties.  A price was paid then, and a price will be paid by our children.  The price this time may be fatal, but say that and "sophisticates" laugh.

What is so sad is to watch the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan deteriorating into, once again, a party of eccentrics and green eyeshades, perfectly prepared to put national defense on the chopping block to maintain its precious position against any tax increases.  True, there is waste in the defense budget.  There always has been, and it must be rooted out.  Eisenhower wasn't entirely wrong about the industrial-military complex, although his famous warning was taken out of context.  But there are also many unmet needs – especially the need to replace aging ships and planes.  We are told that we can no longer "afford" a strong national defense.  That's like saying you can't "afford" a life-saving operation.  You find a way, and people do find it. 

Defense is today presented to the American people by too many "journalists" as a kind of choice thing.  You know, we all know we don't need it, but some people just want it.  Can't afford it any longer.  That is a crazy, wicked and historically corrupt argument. 

Our enemies watch.  We can hear the laughter.

June 29, 2011