Just wondering what will come of this impending disaster. We have skirted around who we should have confronted from the start. Iraq was more stable then Syria and Iran combined. If one country could send the whole ME into a tailspin it is Iran. They have backers in China and Russia who we have had ongoing conflicts with us in this century. The real problem goes into how either we or Israel handle the situation, Israel obviously being in a worse off situation then we are. If Israel is to strike first it would almost certainly lead to backing from China and Russia but also that the citizens of their country would become unified and engage in the call to arms. If Israel sits back and takes the first punch it will decimate the country but China and Russia will in all likelihood not back an action against Israel without Israel making the first move. It is hard not to think that Israel will not make the first move considering Iran has conistantly called for the Zionist nation to be wipe clean off the face of the earth. Our missteps into previous engagements may make us think to long into how to handle this situation. I do not want a World War and am not trying to beat a war drum, this honestly scares the ever loving shit out of me.

This one is going to get messy. We have capitulated and appeased for far too long, hiding our heads in the sand. To quote Homer Simpson: "I'm going to hide under a pile of coats and hope that, somehow, everything will turn out okay."

Our lack of a serious response has only emboldened Iran and it's going to come to a head. The only hope I have for something less than a full blown militaristic conflict is that the youth of Iran rise up before that happens.

What worries me the most, though, is I don't think we're as dominant militarily as we have been in the past. And with the automatic defense cuts built into the debt ceiling deal, it could get even worse.

Ham

What on earth makes you think either Russia or China (or any country of importance for that matter) will back Iran? Just because someone is a trading partner doesnt mean they'll jump in the ring with you.

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/art ... 3609.shtml
Little bit of light reading for you.

uh...it's not 2004. A lot has changed since then, no way would china alienate all their trade partners by aligning themselves with Iran in any serious military conflict (IMO).

Russia and China already materially support Iran's nuclear and conventional weapons programs.
China has been selling them missile parts in violation of UN sanctions for quite some time. This is common knowledge.
If theater wide war were to break out with Israel and Iran being the main combatants, there is no doubt who's side the reds are on.
Do a little search for where China and Russia use their veto authority in the UN security council the most.

What's to worry about? I thought everyone wanted to live during the end of times and witness our ultimate fate? I'll be shopping for chips and salsa and beer, and maybe upgrade to a 70" plasma for optimal 24/7 viewing.

Who cares about Iran getting a nuke, and why are we obligated to defend Israel, who has over 300 tactical nukes themselves?

Who cares about Iran getting a nuke, and why are we obligated to defend Israel, who has over 300 tactical nukes themselves?

It's not just defending a country that has over 300 tactical nukes but I look at it more as in, once he starts nuking countries he's going to continue or attempt to. A man like that with nuclear power is very dangerous for everyone I believe.