Captains Quarters asks how close we were to war with Iran. I saw it as campaign meddling.
This seems more like a political gambit than a test of naval procedures. Had the American ships responded, the Iranians would have hoped to cement Democratic poitical outrage. And votes. Losing a few small boats and men is worth it if the next election reinserts foreign ambivalence in the White House.
If it happened, any astute Democratic candidate should close ranks with the President. I just am not sure any of the Democratic candidates are that savvy.
