Colin, "more than likely" isn't exactly "yes they are". I wouldn't put it past the Iranian leaders to be taking advantage of the US having played itself out in Iraq. They know that, without a doubt, the US cannot and will not open a THIRD front in the "war on them muslim people who might know they guy who paid the guy who visited the guy who traveled with the guy who once spent a moment in the same country as bin ladin". So they take their moment in the sun, step up to the plate, and move forward with plans to join the "big club".
However, having Colin Powell of all people up there claiming Iran is working on WMD is, well, humorous at best. He has such little credibility on this issue. The world as a whole would be more likely to accept and agree with comments made from the whitehouse janitor than Powell on this issue.
Mike, until the US gets 100% out of Afghanistan, they will not have the military muscle available to really fight a war with Iran. Iran knows it. The US has become very mired down, forces stretched to the practical limits, and there is little or no way out of the situations quickly. Iraq will be another 2 - 3 years, maybe more...
Because Bush has not been good at getting people to be on "his team", he is going it alone. There are only so many military people, so much equipment, and so much desire in the bank before the US will have to stop being the world's policeman.
Alex
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Let's go to the edge of disaster Push the pedal and go a little faster Let's slam into a wall at ramming speed Let's go to the edge of a mountain Jump off and lets start countin' Hit the ground and tell me if it bleeds
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