In the recent months tensions have been building between Iran, Israel, and the US, the war drums are being beaten in my opinion, unfortunately. Israel seems to be pressuring for war over the Iran nuclear program, and Obama says "No options off the table means I'm considering all options.", so war hasn't been excluded as an option by the US. In the recent months more sanctions were placed on Iran by the US, UK and Canada, and the US has accused Irans Quds Force which is a branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard of plotting the assassination of Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubier on US soil. You can read about the supposed plot here. Also, recently the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a report that they thought Iran had been developing nuclear weapons since 2003, which is what incited Israel to put more pressure on US to strike Iran. Israel is itching to strike Iran in my opinion, but I dont think they feel comfortable striking alone, they want their big brother (United Sates) to help them do their dirty work. Other recent news heating up the Iran situation, "Iranian students" trashed the British embassy in Tehran causing British diplomats to leave Iran for safety, and British officials ordering all Iranian diplomats to leave Britain. Then we also have covert operations going on, for example, the recent explosions at Iran Revolutionary Guard base, and the recent downing of a US spy drone in Iran, so clearly covert operations are taking place. No way to confirm it, but I suspect Israel and or US had something to do with the explosions at the Iranian base. Lastly, we now have Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, again, which is where 40% of the worlds oil is shipped through, and if closed Im pretty sure it will affect oil and gas prices. In short, a lot of sh*t going down, and plenty of flexing and propaganda going on by all sides, the war drums are being beat. We could be in for a rough 2012, I suspect some kind of air strike on Iran is coming soon, now I could be wrong, but from all that has been going on in recent months I see a sh*t storm is brewing, and some ones about to turn on the fan.
I wouldn't worry too much. About the only way we'll wind up with a shooting war is if somebody makes a mistake. Iran doesn't want a war. Economically, it's suicide for them. Militarily, any conflict between the United States and Iran is a foregone conclusion. The only more lopsided conflict I can imagine would be Desert Storm. It's only a question of how much punishment they're willing to take. The US doesn't want a war with Iran, either. We'd have had one already if that were the case--GWB shut that option down in 2008. We're much more interested in our finacial house right now, and a war doesn't make our finances look any better. We fixed our dependence on Middle East oil--get most of that from Canada, Mexico and Venezuela now--so there isn't nearly the pressing need there once was for us to keep the oil flowing. Additionally, there's not a lot of political support for one, not after Libya, Iraq and the continuing conflict in Afghanistan. We'd absolutely crush the Iranians--but we don't want to. Foreign policy-wise, Iran is a sideshow, a club for campaigning politicians to beat one another with. The only way we'd go in is if we were attacekd or if we were asked to join in some coalition, and even in that unlikely event, it would be reluctant. Israel, of course, is a wild card. But they-re not stupid, either--they know what position they're in (politically speaking) right now. No one there wants to be further isolated, and, frankly, their position is improving every day Syria fights it own internal fight. Iran is a concern, and their nuclear ambitions are still a potential threat to them, but I don't think they're going to hit Iran so long as their political support remains as tenuous as it is now. Again, Iran attacks someone and (obviously!) all bets are off--but I don't see it happening. Nor do I beleive they'll follow htrough with their threat to close the straits--that would hurt them more than us, by far. All of this is just a tempest in a teapot.
We will be in Iran by March. Iran has a leader that is a crazy tyrant and we need to confront dangers to our freedom where ever it may be at.
The only thing Iran is endangering is Iran. Everyone seems to think they're stupid or something. They might be fanatical, might desire nothing more than to see all the infidels strung up from lamp posts and just might believe in the 12th Imam's return and all that--but they're not going to waste themselves. They know what the US is capable of; they'd better, by now, since they've had a front row seat for three wars. They realize we'd crush them within days of them starting something. They're going to want a return for the death and destruction we'll rain down on them. This current 'crisis' is manufactured by Iran to bump up the price of oil and service local political needs. It's call brinksmanship. North Korea has done this sort of thing for decades. You can look for more of the same out of Iran.
Obama gonna put the hurt on Iran... Talk of Iran war grows in Washington Thu, Jan 05, 2012 - SPECULATION:Some of the same hawks who pushed for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 are now urging US military action to eradicate Tehrans nuclear weapons capability
Everyone's assuming the U.S. would just crush Iran, even though they're stronger then Iraq, and the Taliban combined. Plus with our economy the way it is right now, war would be favorable to help boost it. I doubt we would just crush them right away. It would be a long and hard war, especially if nukes are involved.
No, I reckon the American invasion of Afghanistan was far more lob sided, Iraq had money, an army, sophisticated weapons. Afghanistan was the poorest country in the world recovering from civil war and occupation. America still managed to get their backsides kicked all around Afghanistan for 10 years before having to admit defeat and go cap in hand to the Taliban.
Are they really stronger then Iraq? Remember, they were locked into a 10 year long struggle with Iraq, which had a significantly larger and more modern military then they did at the time. The Iran-Iraq war was in many ways like the Great Patriotic War at the beginning. You had on one side one of the largest military forces in the world, with above-average training for the region. On the other you had a more technilogically superior but numerically inferior force in some areas (aircraft, tanks), but technilogically inferior but numerically superior force in another (infantry). And the two pretty much evened each other out. And they both fought with almost identicle tactics, taken directly from the Warsaw Pact manuals. Are you aware that in 1990, the Iraqi Army was the 4th largest army in the world? Totalling 56 divisions, it was massive. And their air force had some of the best aircraft available on the open market at the time. And while much of their tank corps were older and outdated, their Republican Guard also had some of the best tanks you could buy. But what they lacked was the tactics to use it effectively. Just like Iran, they are thoroughly indoctrinated in Warsaw Pact tactics. And just like Iraq, Iran would fall again because of this. Do not confuse winning the war with winning the peace. These are 2 totally different things. And there is no question that the Taliban Government collapsed and was swept from the nation. What is left is various bands of tribal fighters. Some fight for the Taliban. Many fight for their own reasons, as they have for over a thousand years. And if the US was "getting their backsides kicked" all around Afghanistan, then why has the Taliban been forced to find one place to hide out after another? They have even been largely kicked out of Pakistan, once they made themselves unwelcome in the only nation that even slightly supported them.
What no one is taking into consideration is Iran's possible allies. Who would support them, if anyone? If it is someone who is also strong and could hold their own, we're looking at possible WW3 here.
hey guys this is my first post in this forum ... first of all i'm Iranian (i live in iran ) ... second : sorry for my english. anyway , the reason i registered in this forum in the first place was to clear your image of iranian people. i wish i can have a good mature discussion with you guys ( especially my american friends ) well back to the topic ... Iran needs war ! you think it's suicide ?!? no it's not ... iran was in war with iraq for 8 years . iran needs war economy . i'll be more specific . after the new wave of sanctions against my country ( oil sanctions and central bank ) the rial price dropped down 40% compared to dollar . in the past weeks there is crisis in iran's markets . first of all there was a 30% rising in gold prices then central bank was forced to sell more gold in market to reduce the price . people pulled out all of their cash from banks and bought gold instead . now simply the banks are out of any money ! anyway my point is , my country don't have any explanation for people. the 80% of iranians are under the Poverty line line . iran's willing to get involved in a war ! to get his disabled economy back on his feet just like they did 28 years ago by continuing war with iraq . first and biggest benefit from the war economy is that iranians expectancy of the regime will be far less than now. so they won't be concerned about green party anymore since there's a war out there ( u don't live here ... the first regime concern is another revolution ! nor the sanctions nor the usa) ... starting a war with iran is just like starting world war III in middle east and since irans army is getting more powerful each they ... they're counting on a war with at least 10 years length . don't forget Syria , hezbollah , taliban they're all under Iran's command . start a war and u'll see a hell of suicide bombers all around the middle east . anyway ... the whole point is ... the war = the worst condition for Iranian people = a few more year for regime ( you don't actually thing regime cares for people ? ) anyway ... the war will start as soon as iran's take over the strait of homruz ... usa can't stand watching 40% of worlds oil missing . sorry for my bad english . i don't know your military and political synonyms ... w8ting for continuing the discussion .. i'll post the dollar price chart compared to rial so you guys can figure out what the hell is going on in this country ... ( People ... sleeping infront of banks ... in midnight ... so they can buy dollars in morning and sell them for profit :d... )
And America also needs the economy boosts from a war. With both countries seeing this as an economic oppurtunity, it's even more likely war will actually happen.
Since the day when Iran's nuclear program was disclosed to the outside world, there have been countless "reports" that either Israel or the US was going to strike at Iran's nuclear facilities. However, what has taken place so far is akin to the famous fable of the shepherd boy crying wolf. Kissinger had warned that "America's credibility must not be squandered, especially by its leaders". However, in dealing with the nuclear prorams of Iran and North Korea, the credibility of the US has gone down to the level of the US dollar. Hope that the "wolf" will really turn up at the latest by March this time, otherwise the US is in danger of losing all its credibility and becoming a "paper tiger" (a term invented by Mao) in the eyes of all countries. Iran's leader may be a "crazy tyrant", but in his eyes every US leader may be just a coward or a useless "empty vessel" that is good at making noise. Please read the following examples on the numerous threats of war on Iran 1. Signs the U.S. May Be Headed for War in Iran http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/news-desk/2008/03/11/6-signs-the-us-may-be-headed-for-war-in-iran 2. What Will Israel Do? http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2007/12/19/what-will-israel-do.html 3. War With Iran Might Be Closer Than You Think http://www.theamericanconservative.com/blog/2008/05/09/war-with-iran-might-be-closer-than-you-think/
I seriously doubt they would have any. While some nations in the area have working relations with them, none of them fully trust Iran. Some may give a little help, but I doubt that any nation would "stand behind" them, no more then they did Iraq or Libya.
I think it was the Death Stalker Scorpion that laughed mockingly at the Bald Eagle in a fable: "Eat me if you dare!"
Not really correct. When one side follows modern rules of war and the other doesnt nor is even humane, then your going to get casualties everytime. If the US threw out the rule book, or even roughed it up a little bit, then they could remove the problem completely. Dont let humanity fool you into thinking its a weakness.
Hey, Kimiagar, your English reminds me of a joke by Ruth Fleischer in the Reader's Digest (Classic Collection 2011): "On a visit to Japan, we noted a sign in an elevator stating that the employees wearing red badges spoke English. At the bottom of the sign was this further note: 'Please speak easy English.'" Your English is not "easy" indeed. If you are really an Iranian, you are qualified to be an interpreter for your leader Ahmad.... If you are an Amerigo poking fun at the Iranians, you will be qualified to be an English lecturer at an American university after making more effort to brush up your English. As for the potential war between the US and Iran, I liken it to two jokers shadow boxing and circling for hours round the boxing ring till all the spectators are snoring in their seats. Hope that the Amerigoes will make this year an exciting and memorable year in their history.
if America had any regard whatsoever for the rule book they wouldn't have been in Afghanistan in the first place.
Sounds like your referring to the one rule book most of the world really cannot stand, the Quran. Hint; its ineffective, most spiritual doctrines are metaphor for spiritual development but somewhere along the way people decided to embrace its literal meaning and develop a backwards social structure on its context, LOL.
Actually I was referring to the rule book America wrote at Nuremberg, the one that says you shouldn't start wars of aggression.
