REMEMBER IRAN?  – AT 8:43 A.M. ET:  It's that country right next to...well, you know.  But can you honestly say you've seen a good, front-page article on Iran's nuclear and military programs in the last few months?  The issue, one of the most frightening out there, has simply been forgotten in the orgy of "come home America" speeches and debt-crisis conferences.

The danger to America is immense.  From Fox:

TEHRAN, Iran -- A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander claimed on Tuesday that his country has the ability to produce even longer range missiles than those currently in its arsenal.

But Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Guard's Aerospace Force, stressed that Iran will not manufacture such missiles because Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf are already within its reach.

The remarks came as Iran is conducting 10 days of war games, its latest show of military force amid a standoff with the West over the country's controversial nuclear program.

Hajizadeh said the Guard's arsenal already includes missiles with a range of about 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) -- putting Israel, U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf and parts of southeastern and eastern Europe within Iran's reach.

COMMENT:  We don't expect the Europeans to be all that interested.  Their first instinct will be appeasement, believing that after they grovel and sell equipment to the Iranians, the Americans will come in to save them. 

Think ahead to the time, not far off, when the Iranians will be able to tip those missiles with nuclear warheads.  They will become the most powerful force in the region, just as we're reducing our presence.  They will essentially control most of the world's oil supply. 

Churchill warned about people who will feed the alligator in hopes that they'll be eaten last.  I'm afraid, based on political trends in the West, including the United States, that we will be feeding the alligator.

June 28, 2011