Target Iran: US able to strike in the spring

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

US preparations for an air strike against Iran are at an advanced stage, in spite of repeated public denials by the Bush administration, according to informed sources in Washington.

The present military build-up in the Gulf would allow the US to mount an attack by the spring. But the sources said that if there was an attack, it was more likely next year, just before Mr Bush leaves office.

Neo-conservatives, particularly at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute, are urging Mr Bush to open a new front against Iran. So too is the vice-president, ####### Cheney. The state department and the Pentagon are opposed, as are Democratic congressmen and the overwhelming majority of Republicans. The sources said Mr Bush had not yet made a decision.

[...]

Last month Mr Bush ordered a second battle group led by the aircraft carrier USS John Stennis to the Gulf in support of the USS Eisenhower. The USS Stennis is due to arrive within the next 10 days. Extra US Patriot missiles have been sent to the region, as well as more minesweepers, in anticipation of Iranian retaliatory action.

In another sign that preparations are under way, Mr Bush has ordered oil reserves to be stockpiled.

[...]

Iranian officials said on Thursday that they had tested missiles capable of hitting warships in the Gulf.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2010086,00.html

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I might have to re-enlist in the Navy.

[GaryC 7]

I called this yesterday.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=54058&st=0

I don't know. It isn't something I want to see happen but at the same time I don't see a way to avoid it short of letting Iran just have Iraq. This guy will not be happy until he gets the whole gulf area in a war. To walk away isn't good, to take Iran out isn't good.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

This guy will not be happy until he gets the whole gulf area in a war.

His second term just seems not to be ending soon enough...

[Caladan 19]

Gee, I can't imagine what could go wrong with a major regional war!!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Gee, I can't imagine what could go wrong with a major regional war!!

Nothing for the US; word on the street is that our guys will be greeted with flowers.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I don't see a way to avoid it short of letting Iran just have Iraq.

Again, what is the problem if Iran takes Iraq? Not like they can drink the oil, they still have to sell it. And with any luck that will spark a widespread Shia-Sunni conflict in the ME, which will at least temporarily divert jihadi resources away from fighting us to fighting each other.

[Caladan 19]

And it's also not like we haven't negotiated with people who we don't like before. I seem to remember we were against Communism, and still are, but somehow China is one of our largest trading partners. We can do the same with Iran. The theocratic half of the government doesn't like us, but they haven't stayed in power for thirty years by being stupid and going off half-cocked. Iran is a very young country, and I think we stand to gain more in the region if we spend the next fifteen years convincing the under-25 set that they're better off buying American products (apparently American hip-hop is popular in Tehran) than we do if we go in like Rambo without a jockstrap.

Russia and China trade with Iran; surely we can offer them a better deal.

Plus, Iran's relationship to Iraq is seriously fubarred. Last I read, they were supporting the militias... who are fighting on the side of the legitimate government and they've definitely got close ties with the Kurds, who are our allies.... so declaring Iran the enemy pretty much means doing so over the objections of our allies and maybe even the legitimate Iraqi government. It's a civil war with no clear sides; if we came in on the side of Iraq's government, we'd be Iran's ally.

Iran cannot have a compelling interest in regional destabilization; they'll lose a lot more than we would.

I hate having to hope that Khomeini is more temperate than our administration.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What if Rambo had a jockstrap?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I don't see a way to avoid it short of letting Iran just have Iraq.

Again, what is the problem if Iran takes Iraq? Not like they can drink the oil, they still have to sell it. And with any luck that will spark a widespread Shia-Sunni conflict in the ME, which will at least temporarily divert jihadi resources away from fighting us to fighting each other.

Plus, Iraqi Shias like Iran about as much as the average Somali likes Ethiopia (it's notable that it didn't invade Somalia for nearly 14 years before).

Adding Iraqi Sunnis and Kurds (who are even less likely to be fans of Iran than the Shias) and this adds up to the problem actually being bigger for Iran (administering Iraq where it is hated almost universally) if it does takeover.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I don't see a way to avoid it short of letting Iran just have Iraq.

Again, what is the problem if Iran takes Iraq? Not like they can drink the oil, they still have to sell it. And with any luck that will spark a widespread Shia-Sunni conflict in the ME, which will at least temporarily divert jihadi resources away from fighting us to fighting each other.

Plus, Iraqi Shias like Iran about as much as the average Somali likes Ethiopia (it's notable that it didn't invade Somalia for nearly 14 years before).

Adding Iraqi Sunnis and Kurds (who are even less likely to be fans of Iran than the Shias) and this adds up to the problem actually being bigger for Iran (administering Iraq where it is hated almost universally) if it does takeover.

I doubt Iran will make the mistake of trying to administer Iraq. At the most they'll occupy the bigger oil fields, secure the supply chain back to Iran and leave the rest of Iraq to its own devices. You'll see Kurdistan finally emerge as a soveriegn nation too and that can't be bad. Does Iran want Iraq? Let 'em have it.

[pedroh 21]

stop emboldening the enemy with your commentaries.. you are only boosting the terrorist morale.. LAWL!!

[Robor007 0]

stop emboldening the enemy with your commentaries.. you are only boosting the terrorist morale.. LAWL!!

A fellow John Stewart fan?

[pedroh 21]

stop emboldening the enemy with your commentaries.. you are only boosting the terrorist morale.. LAWL!!

A fellow John Stewart fan?

dude, that's the only news show I watch.. and Colbert Report

[Robor007 0]

stop emboldening the enemy with your commentaries.. you are only boosting the terrorist morale.. LAWL!!

A fellow John Stewart fan?

dude, that's the only news show I watch.. and Colbert Report

I'm pretty much the same way. I know it's satire but it's hilarious. I was skeptical that Colbert could carry his own show but I think his show is as good or better than Stewart now. His delivery just kills me sometimes.