The Republicans are vying with one another for the "honor" of being the most warlike, and even Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) – son of the resolutely anti-interventionist Ron Paul, surely one of the most effective and militant critics of American foreign policy – has joined in the contest. All the GOPers have taken aim at President Obama's deal with Iran: Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, two of the loudest, are organizing a September 9 rally on Capitol Hill opposing the agreement.

On the Democratic side of the aisle, the picture doesn't look much better. Hillary Rodham Clinton has issued a rather tepid endorsement of the Iran deal, but has vowed to "police" it – a stance that argues in favor of some in the Israel lobby who say the deal could pave the way for conflict with Iran over enforcement of its terms. Said Clinton: