SUPPORT FOR IRAN - AT 6:01 P.M. ET:  Iran feels it can be defiant about its nuclear program, and here is one reason:

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang, meanwhile, said Tuesday that more dialogue, not sanctions, was needed to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear program. His words came after Teheran announced Sunday that it plans to build 10 more uranium enrichment facilities

Speaking at a press conference, the Chinese spokesperson said that sanctions "are not the goal" of renewed UN pressure on Iran. "We should properly resolve this issue through dialogue," he said. "All parties should step up diplomatic efforts."

COMMENT:  As the Brits say, "Hello?"  The entire sanctions strategy of the Obama administration is based on getting the Russians and Chinese aboard.  We need their votes in the UN Security Council, and each has a veto. 

If China doesn't go along with new sanctions, our strategy is sunk, and there's nothing we can do to China. 

Very tough decisions coming.  Very tough.  The Air Force has ordered new bunker-busting bombs for delivery in the spring.  And a very well informed source in the American military told me recently that "we may have work to do" in Iran.

If the Iranians believe that, they might act differently.  But when an American president projects weakness, we get the fist in return.

December 1, 2009