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Petraeus: U.S. has plan to deal with Iran's nuclear program

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  • Petraeus: U.S. has plan to deal with Iran's nuclear program

    Tampa, Florida (CNN) -- In addition to diplomacy and sanctions, the United States has developed contingency plans in dealing with Iran's nuclear facilities, a top U.S. military commander told CNN's Christiane Amanpour.
    Gen. David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command, did not elaborate on the plans in the interview, to be aired Sunday. But he said the military has considered the impacts of any action taken there.
    "It would be almost literally irresponsible if CENTCOM were not to have been thinking about the various 'what ifs' and to make plans for a whole variety of different contingencies," Petraeus told Amanpour at the command's headquarters in Tampa.
    Iran's nuclear program has become a thorn for the United States and its allies, and Washington has sharpened its tone on dealings over Tehran's program. The Islamic republic maintains the program is for peaceful purposes, but the United States and other Western nations fear Iran wants to acquire nuclear weapons.
    Israel has called Iran's nuclear program the major threat facing its nation.
    When asked about rumors that Israel could attack Iran's facilities, Petraeus declined to comment about Israel's military capabilities. But when asked about the vulnerability of the facilities, Petraeus said Iran has strengthened the facilities and has enhanced underground tunnels.
    Still, the facilities are not bomb-proof.
    "Well, they certainly can be bombed," he said. "The level of effect would vary with who it is that carries it out, what ordnance they have, and what capability they can bring to bear."
    Iran is holding out on a United Nations-backed deal on its nuclear program that includes enriching uranium. The country had until the end of 2009 to accept the deal offered by the "P5 plus one" -- permanent U.N. Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany. Instead, Iran countered, giving the West until the end of January to accept its own proposal.
    The general said he thinks there is still time for the nations to engage Iran in diplomacy, noting there is no deadline on the enactment of any U.S. contingency plans.
    He added, however, that "there's a period of time, certainly, before all this might come to a head, if you will."



    I'm curious as to what options would be available to the US if the balloon goes up on this.

    Link Petraeus: U.S. has plan to deal with Iran's nuclear program - CNN.com
    "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson

  • #2
    shamus,

    Pentagon eyes accelerated bunker buster bomb | Reuters
    There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."- Isaac Asimov

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    • #3
      Thanks astralis.....30,000lbs?....200ft penetration?I'd like to see the size of the crater from that.
      "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Shamus View Post
        Thanks astralis.....30,000lbs?....200ft penetration?I'd like to see the size of the crater from that.
        That should sort out the troglodytes in the cave system of Afghanistan. Give them back our own IED's (IMMENSE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE)

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        • #5
          Petraeus 2012. Not saying it's a good idea yet, as I don't know what else the man believes. But I know there's nobody else that I trust as much, or with such a great track record of leadership and success.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Bluesman View Post
            Petraeus 2012. Not saying it's a good idea yet, as I don't know what else the man believes. But I know there's nobody else that I trust as much, or with such a great track record of leadership and success.
            I was really impressed with him and the way he thinks after reading "In the Company of Soldiers" by Rick Atkinson.....From my very limited "citizen-sitting-on-the -sidelines" viewpoint he seems to be an excellent strategic thinker.
            "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories." Thomas Jefferson

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Shamus View Post
              Thanks astralis.....30,000lbs?....200ft penetration?I'd like to see the size of the crater from that.
              Thermobarics has become the biggest headache to defend against for the engineers. There's no way to stop it. If you're buried deep, you need air which means that you need an intake and an exhaust and where air can go, so can the explosive chemicals. Not so much the exhaust but an exhaust tells you "X" marks the spot (heat difference between the vent and surrounding area) and from there, it's a matter of looking for other holes or outcrops.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Bluesman View Post
                Petraeus 2012. Not saying it's a good idea yet, as I don't know what else the man believes. But I know there's nobody else that I trust as much, or with such a great track record of leadership and success.
                *Amen to that one Blues. Happy to read this article.:)
                Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
                  Thermobarics has become the biggest headache to defend against for the engineers. There's no way to stop it. If you're buried deep, you need air which means that you need an intake and an exhaust and where air can go, so can the explosive chemicals. Not so much the exhaust but an exhaust tells you "X" marks the spot (heat difference between the vent and surrounding area) and from there, it's a matter of looking for other holes or outcrops.
                  Sir, we parted ways in a previous Iranian thread and I think this is the issue that unless we know to what extent Iranian Subterranean activity has actually developed or methods of redundancy. (I will PM you as to why I say this). But for the purposes of the thermobaric question, In mining technology has been looked at and to a limited degree lifeline support in self contained mode. Now I don't have the slightest clue past this document Effects of Nuclear Earth-Penetrator and Other Weapons about the potential of such developments to impact critical areas of facilities? Specific reference to Chapter 8 of the publication.

                  Will PM you why - not sure whether it's worthwhile discussing?

                  Edit: Before you jump me I acknowledge the above truth about underground facilities. I hope I can explain my reasoning adequately.
                  Last edited by Chunder; 11 Jan 10,, 18:37.
                  Ego Numquam

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Bluesman View Post
                    Petraeus 2012. Not saying it's a good idea yet, as I don't know what else the man believes. But I know there's nobody else that I trust as much, or with such a great track record of leadership and success.
                    Be careful, I'll almost bet you thought the same thing about Powell in 1991/92.

                    And I don't see you as a Powell fan around 2008

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Chunder View Post
                      Sir, we parted ways in a previous Iranian thread and I think this is the issue that unless we know to what extent Iranian Subterranean activity has actually developed or methods of redundancy. (I will PM you as to why I say this). But for the purposes of the thermobaric question, In mining technology has been looked at and to a limited degree lifeline support in self contained mode. Now I don't have the slightest clue past this document Effects of Nuclear Earth-Penetrator and Other Weapons about the potential of such developments to impact critical areas of facilities? Specific reference to Chapter 8 of the publication.

                      Will PM you why - not sure whether it's worthwhile discussing?

                      Edit: Before you jump me I acknowledge the above truth about underground facilities. I hope I can explain my reasoning adequately.
                      People,

                      Chunder has introduced me to a few new technologies that the Japanese have developed in order to speed up the mine infrastructure. Specifically, air and water is recycle instead of bringing in fresh air and water.

                      Can these technologies help the Iranians?

                      Well, two issues here.

                      Most of the Iranians secret sites were discovered during the construction stage, ie new roads that were suddenly built and heavy machinery digging into mountains.

                      Not to mention that concrete drinks water like a sponge and also need dehumidifying like there's no tomorrow. So, ventilation is a must and that alone would mark an X on the spot to IR satellites.

                      Can these new technologies help hide these sites once they're operational. In theory, yes but they are relying on stealth, not protection. Chunder, your article misses the point. The facilities have already been penetrated ... by the Iranians. The air shafts both intake and ventilation. If these shafts can be blocked ... and I don't see why not ... once they're identified, then, the issue of air again becomes paramount. The heat has to go somewhere even if the oxygen can be recycled.

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                      • #12
                        Sure we have them all?

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
                          Thermobarics has become the biggest headache to defend against for the engineers. There's no way to stop it. If you're buried deep, you need air which means that you need an intake and an exhaust and where air can go, so can the explosive chemicals. Not so much the exhaust but an exhaust tells you "X" marks the spot (heat difference between the vent and surrounding area) and from there, it's a matter of looking for other holes or outcrops.
                          Stupid question, but wouldnt it reason then to have the vent far far away from the facility? Or perhaps have 'fake' vents with higher heat exhaust plumes being manufactured somewhere else to divert attention from facilities actual vents?
                          You know JJ, Him could do it....

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post

                            Can these new technologies help hide these sites once they're operational. In theory, yes but they are relying on stealth, not protection. Chunder, your article misses the point. The facilities have already been penetrated ... by the Iranians. The air shafts both intake and ventilation. If these shafts can be blocked ... and I don't see why not ... once they're identified, then, the issue of air again becomes paramount. The heat has to go somewhere even if the oxygen can be recycled.
                            Copy that. I have not had any exposure to any recycling system that can recycle in perpetuity absent some pretty vital equipment. Ventilation must still happen even in enclosed situations for a number of reasons heat which is the by product of pretty much everything especially such required systems was something I overlooked (so much for my heat/energy equations). Such systems are not my area. I wanted to impress upon the discussion that if the Japanese have contracts to develop Iranian Oil infrastructure, exactly what equipment or to what extent that agreement goes to/and the Iranians access to what tech was probably a concern in any discussion. I could think of little worse work environments than setting concrete underground, and in that context and invariable inevitability in construction I can understand your point of attacking 'right now' in the discussion a few months ago, I was not thinking in those terms/context in that thread & can understand in that light the heat in it (excuse the pun!) I can't justify the previous posts of mine in with that reasoning from a tech standpoint & military use of the flaw.
                            Last edited by Chunder; 19 Jan 10,, 16:24.
                            Ego Numquam

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                            • #15
                              Seems like submarines could provide the necessary tech for self contained bunkers.
                              I enjoy being wrong too much to change my mind.

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