I still don't see the saber-rattling.
On Iraq the Obama plan certainly leaves much to be desired but he has come out against permanent bases and has sponsored legislation to get our combat troops out through phased redeployment. The obvious problem with this approach is that it contemplates some troops remaining. What are they going to be doing? Sitting on the sidelines while Iraqis kill each other? Training Iraqis to kill other Iraqis? It's basically an all or nothing decision.
On Iran the idea that Obama has the hawkish zeal of Republicans is ridiculous. He paid lip service to the "all options on the table" bullshit but has also indicated that he intends to have some sort of diplomatic relations with Iran, which is perfectly sensible and something no other candidate has even considered.
On Pakistan, again it's nonsense. From what I've read Obama supports incursions into Pakistan to fight Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters that flee into Pakistan from Afghanistan. We're already doing that, and it seems a sensible policy as long as NATO forces are fighting the same folks in Afghanistan.
And he voted for the defense budget. Well, of course he did. He's running for president. You don't get very far in a presidential race if you have a track record of voting against the defense budget. That's just reality.
