Imminent? No. Probable? No. Somewhere between “possible” and “likely”? Definitely, unless direct steps are taken by the antagonists.
We are once again witness to men who like to think of themselves as hard-headed realists, patting the worry-warts on the head and offering a lollipop. We are offered the tenuous comfort of their reasoning: this thing cannot happen, because it would be stupid.
Here we are, neck deep in a turd-infested fever swamp, five years after a cascading series of the most spectacularly retardo decisions evah!…and we are expected to presume the benefit of intelligent leadership.
Of course a war could easily happen, there are powerful people on both sides, morons and mullahs in positions of power, who crave such an eventuality. Both likely crave the same scenario, something happens that makes it plausible to claim that the other guy started it. Both are eager to believe in the implacable and certain hostility of the other. A better recipe for unintended and drastic consequence does not exist. One dumb move, one overreaction and we’re off to the races.
Ask yourself this: if there is some unfortunate incident involving American casualties, or even if one could be plausibly cooked up…do you think the neo-cons will sit quietly and urge prudence and restraint? Or will they start in screaming themselves hoarse and waving the bloody shirt?
So long as we maintian this pointlessly belligerent policy, the longer the window of opportunity remains open.
It may be intended for show. In what way does that mean it cannot happen, simply because it isn’t intended? Guns of August, anyone?
Perhaps you could save this classic bit of snark until someone actually does so, until then, you are putting words in your rhetorical opponents mouths, you are attributing opinions nowhere put forth. Belittle them for what they say, if you can, but not for what you project they might say, as if they had.