U.S. Studies Military Strike Options on Iran

[SlowwHand]

Originally posted by GePap
there is nothing the US can do to stop them, and China and Russia will not force comprehensive sanctions.

A miitary strike at this time would do far long term greater political damage to the US in the region than any gains, unless sucvh an attack could be guaranteed to end Iran's nuclear program, and no air atatck could promise that much.

Do you think the other mideastern countries really relish Iran getting nukes? You think their brotherhood is so binding against Israel that Iran will share, and other countries expect this?

China certainly is against it, and their opinion weighs more than Russia's.

[techumseh]

No one wants Iran to get nukes, but if China, India, Pakistan and Israel all have them, why not Iran?

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
China certainly is against it, and their opinion weighs more than Russia's.

a) China cares more about Iran's oil than it does about their nuclear ambitions

b) If you've looked at a map lately, you might have noticed how current and former Russian satellite states border Iran to the north, while to the east you have countries in the American sphere of influence. China's reach stops a thousand miles away...

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
If Iran is attacked by airstrikes which either originate from Iraq or which pass over Iraqi airspace, then yes, Iran invading Iraq would generally be considered an act of self-defence.

And supreme stupidity.

[KrazyHorse]

That, of course, I agree with.

[KrazyHorse]

Iran would probably lob a couple of missiles at US airbases in Iraq if strikes are launched from there into Iran.

Other than that, there won't be much in the way of positive response they can manage.

[notyoueither]

Even a couple of misslies launched would result in every military installation in Iran being levelled, and a lot of other installations thrown in for bonus points.

When it comes to insurgancy the Yanks are catching up with Iran. When it comes to conventional warfare they'd best bend over and kiss their asses goodbye. A chicken in a KFC factory would have a better chance of not ending up as nuggets.

[KrazyHorse]

Even a couple of misslies launched would result in every military installation in Iran being levelled, and a lot of other installations thrown in for bonus points.

That's a hell of an air operation. The US is already going to be stretching to wipe out as much of the nuclear stuff as possible. I don't know if they're going to decide that launching a 3 month long air campaign would be worth it to retaliate for a couple of missiles against an offensively-engaged military target which did little damage.

[notyoueither]

You don't stretch much with the USAF against many foes. You fly a sortie every other day, and you level small persnickity countries like Iran on the way to the golf course.

They brought Serbia to it's knees when they had no real reason to do so, other than friends asking them to.

You think the Pres and the JCoS are going to take kindly to Iran lobbing missiles into their sandbox?

[notyoueither]

A single Iranian missile would likely result in a Congressional resloution for regime change.

[KrazyHorse]

You are underestimating the sheer number of sorties you're talking about, nye.

The USAF is very good and very big. But they aren't infinite.

[KrazyHorse]

A single Iranian missile would likely result in a Congressional resloution for regime change.

Bull**** (at least on any actual ground war). There might be an empty threat, but a single missile will not goad the US into invading Iran.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
You are underestimating the sheer number of sorties you're talking about, nye.

The USAF is very good and very big. But they aren't infinite.

They've leveled countries when their own troops were not in danger. Start shooting at GIs from buttsville and they'll happily show you that buttsville can be sent down the crapper.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse

A single Iranian missile would likely result in a Congressional resloution for regime change.

Bull**** (at least on any actual ground war). There might be an empty threat, but a single missile will not goad the US into invading Iran.

It didn't take a shot at GIs to get a Congressional resolution to make taking out Saddam US national policy.

You think Yanks would stand by and watch their boys and girls be chipped at from a neutral country?

[KrazyHorse]

Eh. We've already heard that Iran is strapping bombs to people's backs and sending them into Iraq (something I think is quite possibly true).

Where's the ridiculously disproportionate response to that?