According to an alarming new Department of Defense report combining civilian, military, and calendric evidence, Iran may be as few as nine years away from the year 2016. 'Every day they get one day closer,' Defense Secretary Robert Gates said during a White House press conference Tuesday. 'At the rate they're going, they will reach 2016 at the same time as the United Statesand given their geographic position relative to the international date line, possibly even sooner.' The report recommended that the U.S. engage in bellicose international posturing, careless brinksmanship, and an eventual overwhelming series of nuclear strikes in order to prevent Iran from reaching this milestone. 