Quote:
Originally Posted by Buu
What a peculiar comment, Mr. John.
If the vast and exalted military of the United States could not stabilize and control Baghdad through four years of occupation (with international assistance), then what makes you believe you can defeat a country three times Iraq in size within a few days?
Iran, unlike Saddam, has a strong technologized military presence, a patriotic and strong public, and is enhancing their nuclear technology by the day. The Americans would be facing a much graver crisis in Iraq, were the Shia/Sunni/Kurd interests all alike. In Iran, the public is unified and would uprise together against such intolerable acts of war against them. In short, if America can't handle a resistance compromised of old kalashnikovs, then what hope would they have for Iran?
Besides, Iran's power (or lack thereof) aside, the United States would be incapable of waging such a war properly due to finances. They are already in debt nine trillion dollars (or sixty trillion, depending on your definition of debt), so to add the factor of Iran into the equation will make the debt rise exponentially.
Just a thought.
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It's a thought, but doesn't answer. The US, France, Germany--just to name a few--say they will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran--period. One can assume they would be prepared to act with the US and share the cost.
The essential question, therefore, is whether the sacrifice for letting Iran build nuclear weapons is greater than the sacrifice of stopping her? Economic cost factors and other downsides are realities inherent in every mission, but the most important consideration is always the value of the objective.
I am sure you know how a nuclear-armed Iran would be a threat to Europe, to her Gulf neighbors and to the national interests of more distant countries like the US. A balance of power is preferable in the Gulf region. If Iran gets nuclear weapons, its neighbors will want them also, to offset Iran's domination of the region. Also, the desired trend is an overall reduction in the number of nuclear weapons worldwide and their eventual elimination. N. Korea and Lybia have withdrawn from the nuclear stage; to now allow Iran to succeed where they failed, would open the door to further proliferation.
Hopefully Iran will cut a deal; if not it will wish it had.