Small cost? Seriously?
From history we almost certainly know it's not going to be a small cost
Yea, small cost. It's all relative.
If this ends up being an Iraq level of cost, I find that to be acceptable. Preventable, and unfortunate, but acceptable.
and we have no idea whether inaction would lead to a large cost later.
We do though.
If we let countries acquire nukes because we aren't willing to enforce the NPT, there is only one way that ends. Everyone gets nukes and humanity shortly after ceases to exist.
We're already at severe risk of global existential annihilation. Why allow it to get worse?
What should the US response be if:
- Russia arms Iran with a nuke.
Then we back off, and accept the new reality that Iran has nukes. Ideally, try to create treaties for mutual disarmament.
- The bombs didn't destroy Iran's nuclear program and now they are actively trying to create a nuke.
If they continue to pursue nukes, then we flatten them like we've done other countries several times before.
- Iran attacks US bases in the region and kills our troops.
As long as they aren't pursuing nukes, I don't really care what they do with the troops. They shouldn't be over there to begin with.
- Iran launches a 9-11 type terrorist attack on US soil.
Then we kill the ones directly and immediately responsible and leave it at that.
