Charles Krauthammer points out what ought to be obvious.  There are times when the use of hard power is the only alternative.

WASHINGTON -- On the day the Colombian military freed Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other long-held hostages, the Italian Parliament passed yet another resolution demanding her release. Europe had long ago adopted this French-Colombian politician as a cause celebre. France had made her an honorary citizen of Paris, passed numerous resolutions and held many vigils.

Unfortunately, karma does not easily cross the Atlantic. Betancourt languished for six years in cruel captivity until freed by a brilliant operation conducted by the Colombian military, intelligence agencies and special forces -- an operation so well executed that the captors were overpowered without a shot being fired.

This in foreign policy establishment circles is called "hard power."

Europeans, and European wannabees among the Democrats, would give credit to the Italian Parliament for the Betancourt's rescue if they thought they could do it without sounding ridiculous.  But the fact is had Colombia not resorted to hard power, Betancourt would remain a hostage.  If the U.S. had not resorted to hard power, Iran would not be the only Middle Eastern regime seeking nuclear weapons.  Iraq and Libya had nuclear aims as well.  It was the invasion of Iraq which put an end to those aspirations.

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