Gates on Iran and Syria

Hugh Hewitt is concerned that presumptive Defense Secretary Robert Gates appeared to indicate that a military conflict with Iran or Syria was ill-advised and, in Gate's opinion, beyond the scope of the resolution authorizing the President to use military force passed in the wake of the September 11 attacks.  I'm less concerned than Hugh for three reasons. 

First, Gates did acknowledge that military action may be necessary as an option of last resort.  That's good enough for me and, I think, consistent with the present scenario in the Middle East.  The need to clamp down the situation in Iraq mitigates against pushing the military option against Iran and Syria to the front burner.   It would be an awful lot to digest at one time.  Still, if the administration believes as strongly in preventing Iran from joining the nuclear club as it publicly proclaims, the last resort could quickly become a reality.  Unlike the long and well-publicized run-up to the Iraq war, I believe a military operation against either Iran or Syria (most probably Iran) would be swift, targeted and sudden, with no forewarning or consultation with Congress.  Such an attack would likely be against a particular facility or facilities and not geared toward regime change.

Secondly, the president has plenty of authority to launch an attack, despite being somewhat hemmed in by the 1973 War Powers Resolution.  Under the Resolution, the president can deploy troops for a military operation for 60 days (with an option for another 30 days) without having to seek a declaration of war from Congress.  I'm no fan of the War Powers Resolution, but if a military strike against a nation like Iran turned into a broader shooting war, I don't believe the Congress would have the nerve to try and force the president's hand to pull the troops out of a hot war.  The American people would rally around the president and the mission.

Finally, a cabinet nominee is free to offer his or her opinions during a confirmation hearing.  In the end, Robert Gates will not be the final voice in determining United States foreign policy.  If the president orders a military option, Gates will carry out his responsibilities.   I don't fear diverse opinions within the administration.  The truth of the matter is that such opinions have likely always been present, despite the mythologizing that goes on in Washington D.C. about an administration trapped in a sort of neo-con bubble, unwilling or unable to listen to contrary opinions.  President Bush has exercised his power to act on his own convictions and will continue to do so.