Originally Posted by Michael

Iran by the same neo con plan simply needs a regime change. Why? It would be fairly easy under normal conditions to block off the Persian Gulf tanker traffic.

Originally Posted by Oregon Elephant

Because our goal was to impliment a democracy there, with Iran, we won't have that goal, only destroying their military power and nuclear weapons. I can see that if the US goes alone, Russia will get involved, but if the UN goes with a large coallition, then Russia will likely just verbally protest. Because if they actually fight and kill UN members, that will draw violence against Russia on multiple fronts. A quick strike would end Iran's military and then it would just be Russia (and possibly China) fighting on multiple fronts (basically another world war with millions of deaths). Russia may believe that Iran has a right to have nuclear weapons, but I doubt that they will fight for that.

Originally Posted by Bourne

Your article fails to mention what the effects of a massive pre-emptive strike would be against Iranian military targets. We would effectively devestate Iran.

Originally Posted by Bourne

No, it wouldn't be wonderful. Fortunately, it's unlikely to happen.

You admit that you don't understand military capabilities yet you assume Iran has superior abilities. That is a foolish assumption. We could level Iran in days without putting one boot on the ground.

Originally Posted by Oregon Elephant

That's the difference between a war and an occupation, remember Iraq had an organized military, with troops, armoured vehicals, and tanks, and look what we did to that. A war with Iran would go very well for the US (militarily speaking), an occupation on the other hand, would be disasterous. If we are going to strike first, we are going to go all out, take out as many military structures as possible, and although much of our infantry is in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Air Force and Navy is much more free to carry out tactical strikes.

Originally Posted by Bourne

Since when is the truth a display of arrogance? I'm merely pointing out that if the US chose a coordinated pre-emptive strike we would absolutely devestate Iran.

Originally Posted by Michael

Even if we devastated Iran with an airstrike, it would be very likely given their fundamentalist extremism that they could start an Al Qaeda like Shia organization that would have targets in America. Then there are our troops in Iraq that would be a readily accessible target.

I just read an article claiming the Israelies just put their military through a rehearsal of bombing Iran. With that scenario, it would be expected that Iran would join Hezbollah and other Shia militia groups against Israel. Syria is a Shia nation and might join.

Originally Posted by TheStripey1

tell me, OE... if we attack Iran, will you rush down to the recruiter and sign up so you can help out in the devastation of yet another ME country?

Originally Posted by Oregon Elephant

Well, Israel has repelled them time and time before, and since they are their own country, they can defend themselves.

Originally Posted by leviathon435

So why did we bother to occupy Iraq after? the same would have to happen with Iran and I hradly think the Iranian air force and navy would be destroyed without causing significant casualties to the US. You also have the possibility of Russian involvement effecting blocking any attack on Iran.