> There isn't even a defined victory condition.
replyIt's even worse if you consider what rational options the mullahs have. Yes, they are a murderous dictatorship and enemies of US - no question about that. But they did nothing to provoke this particular attack and they still got bombed.
Backing off without first inflicting severe pain is just not an option in this situation. It would be an invitation to get bombed at will.
Wow, "perceived war crimes", what an interesting way of saying war crimes.
replyReal and perceived. The lay public aren't generally students of international law.
reply> Sacrifice civilian infrastructure as the only viable bombing target.
replyI'm imagining the air crew going "Huh, there are no clear actual targets to bomb. Hey, Cleetus, command won't be happy about us not bombing anything at all, retarget on that school over there, let's get this over with and go home."