Re: In other news
"While 1930s Japan (and today's Iran) certainly were/are less than ideal global citizens"
The thing is, while 1930s Japan was doing the "invading other countries with a view to expanding the empire" thing, Iran hasn't done much in the way of serious empire building for centuries - and (to give one example) hasn't forgotten the invasion by Western-backed Iraq (in the days before Saddam Hussein was recast as the devil incarnate) that led to a very long and very bloody war.
So when a "foreign power" threatens Iran, turns the screws one way or another, when the Iranian leadership feels under pressure and without friends in the world - oh look, they kick back. Quelle surprise.
No, no, I'm no fan of the current Iranian regime - but on the other hand, I can sympathize to some extent. And anyway, what sort of clown thinks you can treat Iran like it's some sort of fragile little mayfly nation which will cave in under a bit of pressure? Someone who's ignorant of history both modern and ancient, that's who.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
