Ranger from the North

Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world:

All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.

Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country.

The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it."

- President George W. Bush, 2nd Inaugural Address, January 20, 2005

The President's entire address can be found here.

Abigail recently reminded us that supporting democracy in Iran should be a high priority for the United States and our allies in the GWoT. I believe the gentleman from the American Enterprise Institute she saw interviewed by SuperAnchor Brit Hume was Michael Ledeen. Here is an article by Dr. Ledeen about the recent "election" in Iran. At the end of the article, Dr. Ledeen speculates (based on comments by the DCI) that the Iranian regime may be hosting a special guest.

Meanwhile, the director of central intelligence gently reminded us--or so it appears--that we have profound problems to resolve with the mullahs. Time asked him how we were doing in the hunt for Osama bin Laden. He replied that the matter was rather more complicated than one might imagine. He was quite sure he knew where the master terrorist was located, and I think he told us that bin Laden is in Iran. Judge for yourself:

...we have some weak links...until we strengthen all the links, we're probably not going to be able to bring Mr. bin Laden to justice. We are making very good progress on it. But when you go to the very difficult question of dealing with sanctuaries in sovereign states, you're dealing with a problem of our sense of international obligation, fair play...

Is he not saying that bin Laden is in a sanctuary in a sovereign state? And what state could that be? If bin Laden were in Afghanistan or Pakistan, it wouldn’t seem to be such a vexing problem as Goss suggests. But Iran, now that’s a problem. Indeed the biggest problem in the war against terrorism.

I find it hard to believe that the mullahs would risk a serious confrontation with the U.S. and our allies by harboring bin Laden. True, there already is a confrontation of sorts over the Iranian nuclear weapons program, but it has been a drawn out process and one where the regime's survival is not currently threatened by outside forces. However, if it were revealed that bin Laden was being given safe haven in Iran, the U.S. would have a rock solid case for immediate action, and I have to believe that Europe's patience with the regime would quickly erode. But maybe they are just that crazy.

Boy, I don't know about you, but I can't wait for these guys to get nukes!