Pre 9-11 mentality? Is your mentality the one that says that only we and our friends are allowed to build up our defenses, even nuclear defenses? Does your mentality state that we must destroy another nation that builds up its military even if it does not threaten us? It's my contention that we should build up our defenses rather than plan attacks. When we attack, our defense naturally less than it otherwise could be, plus we make ourselves more prone to attack due to blowback.
"............even if it does not threaten us?"
LOL - I guess they didn't send you the memo on this one - Iran has been conducting a proxy war against the U.S. since they overthrew the Shah back in the 70's - Iran has been threatening and attacking the U.S. since they overthrew the U.S. emabassy in Tehran and made hostages of 53 people for 444 days, from Nov. 4, 1979 until Jan. 20, 1981, the day President Reagan was sworn into office.
Just think if the U.S. overthrew some country's embassy here in America and held their people hostage for even one day, let alone 444 days.
Then their proxies hit the Marine barracks at the International Airport in Beirut Lebanon killing 241 U.S. soldiers - soldiers who were there to try to keep the security for the airport because of the threat to it.
Iran's proxies have blown up a couple of U.S. embassies, the USS Cole, hotels, nightclubs, market, workplaces - you name it - Iran's proxies have targeted the U.S. and its friends for 30 years - and you insinuate that they have a right to build nukes and long range missiles even if they don't threaten us - they have been threatening and attacking the civilized world for 30 years.
Hezbollah, the PLO, the Taliban, Hamas, and Al Qaeda are but some of Iran's proxies - their proxies are at work in Somalia, Sudan, and quite a few other nations, as well.
Iran's oil money pays for their deeds - that money would be better spent on working toward peace and not domination of the region, which is Iran's plan.
Just what do you think this is all about, anyway?
Do you know that Iran's plan is to take over the region and restore it's Persian glory?
Look at an old map of Persia and you will see exactly where they are doing their deeds with their proxies and the arms they smuggle in.
This is no secret - a lot of people know this, I guess except for those who didn't get the memo - well, I hope you get it.