Here’s my column today on the impending latest round of U.N. sanctions against Iran. Bottom line: they won’t work. I’m doubtful that any form of sanctions–even more strenous ones targeting Iran’s gas imports–will work on the necessary timetable. Absent a revolution (and we have limited means to affect the domestic political situation one way or the other), the choice comes down to a nuclear Iran, or an Israeli or American military strike. If it’s the military option, an American strike would be preferable: we’ll be blamed for an Israeli strike regardless; if the Israelis over-fly Iraq, it might lead to a disastrous collapse of our position there; and we’re more capable of carrying out the mission. These are the kind of questions we need to start grappling with. The sanctions, certainly the ones at the U.N., are just temporizing.