The Moral Liberal

Iran faces a delicate issue.  On the one hand it wants to show the world all it’s got and put it at ease, while on the other hand it fears that such show ‘n tell will give its enemies a roadmap to bomb it.
Saddam Hussein faced a similar dilemma ten years ago. Though he wanted the world to know he had nothing to hide, he also wanted to bluff his archenemy Iran into believing Iraq still had WMD. 
Bluffing did not go well for Saddam, and it might not go well for Ahmadinejad.
But since the price tag for ridding Saddam proved high, maybe we ought to reflect what we are asking of Iran now.  On the eve of a threatened attack, we are asking it to take us to the depths of its arsenal and show us all it’s got.  
Such great expectations are a sign we have been talking to our friends too long and are in need of a broader perspective.  Exactly when was the last time we asked Pakistan, India, China or Russia to show us their arsenal?
“But those countries are not advocating the destruction of Israel.” 
True, but Israel is not a thorn on their side either.  
Surely, however, we can see beyond the hyperboles and figure out their underlying purpose.  Or have we forgotten that not all Iranians are thrilled with Ahmadinejad?
He sure hasn’t. 
Nor has he forgotten that that his countrymen hate Israel even more.  So he tells them that Israel will be wiped from the face of the earth.  Expectantly, this nonsense unites them against a common enemy. It is even a diversion from the misery and isolation brought on by his theocratic regime. 
Quite clever work by Ahmadinejad — and not a rial spent or a bullet fired. 
So why are we letting the crazy talk about destroying Israel get us all worked-up — to the point of turning the world topsy-turvy again.
Can we not see the desperate attempts of an unpopular regime simply trying to hold on?