I think there is a legitimate case for military action against Iran. For all the obvious reasons.
I understand that a sneak attack gives you a momentary tactical advantage. But wars are won more on strategy that tactics.
In the end the minor advantage we gained is obviously pointless since the regime is still in control and projecting power into the straight.
That wasn't worth the strategic damage it did to the cause.
The more intelligent approach would have been to have followed the Constitutional process and made a case in Congress and get a vote. No one wants Iran to have a bomb and it is increasingly hard to argue another 10 years of negotiation is going to make a difference.
Let it be argued and get a vote. Then give them a 72 hour ultimatum to agree to unlimited onsite inspectors of our choice. If that fails you have authorization to attack. It's all legal, Constitutional, and far more durable than one mans whim.
It doesn't matter if they know if we are coming or not.
1. You can put your finger anywhere on the globe and our military can destroy it.
2. We tried the sneak attack, obviously that wouldn't have mattered.
[Edit]
Republicans control both chambers and an Authorization of Force only requires a simple majority.
