This is John Batchel, a conversation with colleague Jonathan Shanzer, Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracy,

about the idea that the Iranian mullahs can survive, manage a war, encouraging, enticing, luring, luring the U.S. to attack.

Is that adequate for what's left of the Islamic regime of Iran?

Jonathan makes it very clear. No. Here's his explanation. More of this tonight.

It is not sensible in the least, John. When you consider what is going on right now, the economic malaise

in the regime, the political unrest, which has erupted again with students coming out and

challenging the regime since the weekend, and it is happening through today.

One gets a sense that this is a regime

that is not doing well, in the least. And I think allowing for a U.S. attack or inviting

one will only erode its strength further. We have to remember here that they do not have the

ability to fight back against the United

States in any significant way.

They don't have an Air Force, John.

Their Navy is really nothing to speak of, some fast votes and the ability to challenge

through asymmetric means.

What they have are missiles.

And if the United States, plus the Israelis, plus perhaps

other allies, are able to take out that missile arsenal, the regime is left with effectively

nothing.