The US will be alone if it re-imposes sanctions on Iran no doubt about that. Cruz and those like thinking Republicans are scary because of their stupidity. It's time they stopped the bullshit warlike quacking and took a look at what's happening inside Iran. Iranian moderates gained several seats in the last recent election. This is a positive sign that there is change in the air. The hardline Mullahs still hold sway for now but in time as prosperity through trade with the US and Europe really takes off the Mullahs will gradually lose power. Iran is not North Korea and Iranians are not ditto head puppets but educated people with an eye for business and a genuine desire for better relations with the west

On the other hand if Cruz wanted to play hardball and join Netanyahu in kicking ass then the hard line Mullahs will prevail, the moderates fade from the scene and Iranians led to believe that the US just cannot be trusted and any deal with the US isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

Like the Jewish vote the Cuban exile vote is a sought after commodity amongst politicians so nonsense is the name of the game

I trust they're not but even if they were what are they going to do with it? It's not an option to use it unless they have a strong desire to get themselves blown from the face of the earth in retaliation. Even Kim Il Un despite all his sabre rattling realizes that

Far more to be concerned with is the possibility of the Taliban or ISIS getting their hands on some of Pakistan's nukes. In that case all options are open

The terrible events in Brussels today will, I believe, have major repercussions in this country - mostly benefiting Trump. It might be interesting to adjust the focus of the thread to how the candidates will be addressing what may be a clear and present danger for us. Paris and Brussels may well have a major influence on the result of the Brexit vote, as well.

I think part of what is fueling both Sanders and Trump is the sense of disconnect between the powers that be in both parties and the Great Unwashed. It's the same in Europe, where the Alternative for Germany party (AfD) is likely to become a major right of centre player. Der Spiegel has an interesting article, and here is the conclusion, that could apply as well to voters in this country:
Success of AfD Populists Akin to Revolt against Merkel - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Who is already approaching it with a lot of hot air and not much in the way of solid ideas -- other than dragging out waterboarding yet again.

http://trump-started-exploit-brussels-attack-article-1.2572938

The main aim of Isis is to forment anti Muslim sentiment in Europe and elsewhere. Flood the EU with refugees. Attack soft targets. Sit back and wait for the hate filled rhetoric to flow. Trump and Cruz have already obliged.

So best is to do nothing different from what we and the Europeans are doing now?

Are there any other ideas out there besides: we shouldn't use any forms of enhanced interrogation, no matter whether or not lives might otherwise saved?

There was me thinking the hate bit might be down to the bombers.

How silly of me.

Did hear Obama this morning who as anticipated failed to address the issue which just gives Trump an opening.

It isn't "enhanced interrogation", it is torture. Furthermore it has been shown time and again that torture does not yield reliable results.

US report on 'enhanced interrogation' concludes: torture doesn't work | US news | The Guardian

This thread is as useless as tits on a boar. I suggest we do some real thinking about how to address what has happened in Brussels and Paris and some idiot starts the usual one-line sniping at Trump and that gets followed up with a chorus of "yes!" "yes!." This thread is an absolute dead end.

Just because your main argument is a dead end doesn't mean you can't try and think of something new.

How about this (I can't take credit):

"The war on drugs just produced more drugs, the war on terrorism just produced more terrorists. How about a war on farmers markets!"

Meanwhile, back from Flavius-la-la land, it's election day in several states. Arizona will presumably go to Trump in a landslide, but I can't find any polling data for either of the races there. It will be interesting to see how well Sanders does there as he really needs a win. Apparently he's miles ahead in Utah and Idaho, but neither of those garner many delegates.

The Graunidad is amusing but hardly a reliable impartial source.

How about the Senate's report that the Guardian article is about?

"CIA detainees subjected to what were then called “enhanced interrogation techniques” either produced no intelligence, or they “fabricated information, resulting in faulty intelligence”."