Reagan

So Yglasias noticed something during the recent Republican presidential candidates' debate.

Giuliani said the only thing worse than an American-led military offensive against Iran would be Iran having nuclear weapons, which he called “the worst nightmare” of the Cold War. The way to stop Iran, he said, was resolute American leadership facing down the Iranian president.

“He has to look at an American president, and he has to see Ronald Reagan,” Giuliani said.

Yglasias notes that the Iranians have rather different memories of Reagan than Guliani apparently does, and Hilzoy of Obsidian Wings further explores why having the Iranians see a president like Reagan is a very bad idea.