The choice now is whether to lead this alliance in containing Iran and preventing Iraq's collapse, or to decide the risks are too high and withdraw.

Cut straight across America's own policy of trying to contain Iran - absolutely contrary to it.

No chance of rallying moderate Arab leaders to fight extremists or contain Iran.

It could also help American efforts to contain Iran.

Those "other things," he said, "are containing Iran and Iraq."

Trying to contain both Iran and Iraq can't last.

That means that the policy of containing Iran only by half-hearted sanctions and diplomacy has failed.

But the parallel effort by the United States to contain Iran through economic sanctions is falling apart.

We cannot sit and hope to contain Iran.... We need to say clearly that we will be doing covert activity.

(This may turn out to be as dumb as helping Iraq in the 80's to contain Iran.)