JOINT CHIEFS CHAIR WARNS ON IRAN - AT 7:36 P.M. ET:  I'm getting the sense that the American military is starting to assert itself within this new administration.  It's been widely reported by good sources that President Obama is now listening closely to the advice given by military leaders, and following it.  Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, now issues a stark warning on Iran, stronger than that delivered by President Obama:

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said Thursday that the consequences of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon would be "calamitous" and that major powers must join hands and act to prevent it, Reuters reported.

Speaking a day after Iran test-launched a long-range ballistic missile, Mullen told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "I'm one who believes that Iran getting a nuclear weapon is calamitous for the region and for the world."

"It then, in my view, generates neighbors who feel exposed, deficient and then develop or buy the capability themselves," he continued. "The downside, potentially, is absolutely disastrous," alluding to the possibility of a nuclear arms-race in the Middle East.

COMMENT:  I would have preferred that Mullen go even further, and say that the worst aspect of Iran having the nuclear weapon is that the mullahs might use it.  That is, by far, the most tragic scenario.

It's only informed speculation on my part, but I believe that the recent behavior of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the courage shown by Dick Cheney, have energized the national-defense hawks, which is all to the good.

May 21, 2009