Richard Just remains convinced that Iran is, in fact, likely to launch an unprovoked nuclear first strike on Israel, and at the same time disclaims possession of any knowledge about Iran or Iranian affairs and denies having a view as to the appropriate policy remedy for this threat. Frankly, I’m confused and don’t really know what kind of argument one can mount under those circumstances.

UPDATE: I mean, really, anyone who doesn’t think Iran is going to launch an unprovoked nuclear first strike on Israel isn’t taking this issue seriously? Kenneth Pollack? Ray Takeyh? Really? Are there any real experts on Iran who agree with the Halevi/Oren/Just position on this? In my experience, stoking paranoia about an Iranian nuclear first strike has been an idiosyncratic project of The New Republic that not even The Weekly Standard has gone in for.

Victor Davis Hanson espies signs of progress all the world ’round and notes that “If the administration could get their proverbial rock of Sisyphus finally over the top, they would be surprised at how many Middle Eastern governments might profess newfound and opportunistic support, and, at home, how many pundits will readjust and now profess sorta, kinda, maybe not to have been so critical all along.”

Um . . . I think Hanson may want to reacquaint himself with the Sisyphus character. If I could only square the circle, I’d be recognized as a major mathematician. Seems like as good a time as any to relink to Julian Sanchez’s old Prospect satire imagining Bush pondering Camus.

In a true profiles in courage moment, John McCain announces that he’ll stand tall against our failed national security policies by raking General George Casey over the coals at the hearings on his forthcoming appointment as Chief of Staff of the United States Army. I have no particular brief for Casey, who obviously did not bring this country fabulous successes in Iraq and who carried more than his share of water for George W. Bush over the years. Nevertheless, this is a raw deal in the extreme.

Highly-ranked career Army officers aren’t like you and me and presumably Casey will just stand willingly and let the right scapegoat him in exchange for which he’ll serve out his career and retire with little fuss. And if Casey’s happy with that well then on some level it’s no concern of mine. The larger political game, however, is perfectly clear — we’re supposed to believe that there was nothing wrong with the war except the bungling of the fool Casey and that the Great Leader Petraeus will save us all. It’s probably the best play the war’s supporters have left, but one did tend to believe that on some level McCain would have more respect for our armed forces and the officers who serve in them than to personally spearhead this sort of tawdry smear.