We used our military force against Germany, Italy and Japan because they invaded other nations or attacked us. We certainly did not use our military force because they had the potential to invade someone or because the could potentially attack us.
I stiil cannot believe people who claim to be intelligent and cannot see the insanity of continuing a policy that created much of the hatred and terrorism, and to do so in the name of fighting terrorism.
If we use military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities, can you not see the people of Iran saying "Israel has them, Pakistan has them, India has them, and even that crazy bastard in N. Korea has them. But those assholes think they have the right to tell us we can't have them". Do you think Iran would use nukes, knowing they would cease to exist if they did?
Our meddling in the ME is the basis for much of the hatred facing us there. I am not saying appease anyone. I am saying we need to stop actively interferring and mind our own damned business. Let the UN do something. Let Israel do something. Let China do something. But our term of service as the cop on the planetary beat has cost us enough already.