"I am the Syrian air defense command and control analyst for the Air Force's National Air and Space Intelligence Center. I concur. That's why I posted what I did a couple posts ago." That is reassuring to hear than! BTW: Can you give us some interesting info on Syrian air defenses? Nothing classified, of course, - just normal info. :)

Hey, I didn't say anything after the first time you asked for a reason! :-) Analysts rarely work with just unclassified data because nearly everything we use comes from our own collection (meaning American intelligence collection, not open sources like Strategy Page), and thus is classified basically automatically. It's always easier to just slap "TS//SI" on something as a safe default than it is to pick each line apart, trace it back to its origin, and separately classify each one as low as you can. Even if you did, there's little requirement to produce entirely unclassified assessments or studies. The operational community often complains because we usually can't even keep it in collateral channels, and usually end up including some SIGINT or something else in it that means most pilots can't see it, either--at least not outside of selected, very secure facilities even if they do have an SCI clearance. To repeat, while Syria has plenty of air defense assets (SAMs, early warning radars, C2 equipment, fighters, etc.) and reasonably well-trained personnel manning them, they would get crushed quickly by a serious American air campaign. Take a very hierarchical former Soviet Union system (equipment, doctrine, etc.) and then tie it up in the typical Arab dictatorial regime's characteristic of no one wants to be the guy who makes the wrong decision, so pass the buck up-echelon and wait for a command decision from higher headquarters, and you have a recipe for classic C2W. In an air war with Syria, surgical strikes will behead the Syrian Air Defenses within hours, and the rest is history. Displacedjim

how long would it take israel to invade?

"Hey, I didn't say anything after the first time you asked for a reason! " Alright - no problem - I just assumed you missed it somehow. I have no intention of helping a potential enemy who may browse these boards by asking for sensitive info, so I will settle for what you already wrote. Thanks anyway! :)

Roman - No worries, mate, I'm flattered you even asked. IAF - It would take the Israelis a little longer I'd think, but that's only because they have less assets to work with. The Israelis know basically as much as we do about Syria; while they don't have the amount of imagery and signals collection capability that we have, they have enough, plus I'd assume their human intelligence collection in Syria must be ahead of ours by a long shot. I'm sure the Israelis understand the Syrian susceptability to C2 warfare just as we do. Displacedjim

Given that the USA has yet to secure the complete and successful invasion of Iraq, I'm beginning to think that, without massive destructive force (like nukes), the USA cannot invade countries that don't want to be invaded. The main reason is that American soldiers would not be fighting a typical enemy i.e. american infantrymen are often fed the same old story about coming into a war zone to fight tyranny and instill democracy, etc.., and while this silly logic may work on the simpletons of the U.S. military, it convinces no one else. They would be fighting people willing to take up arms and die for their country, as we see in Iraq presently. Soldiers have come in expecting flowers and hugs of appreciation and instead have encountered grenade launchers and suicide bombs. Not a pretty picture. It is a remarkable look at the determination of a population to resist outside aggression and occupation. Desperation fuels a kind of defensive response that is all too often underestimated by the invading power, unfortunately, to the demise of their soldiers.

>>...american infantrymen are often fed the same old story about coming into a war zone to fight tyranny and instill democracy, etc.., and while this silly logic may work on the simpletons of the U.S. military, it convinces no one else.--Dung Heap<< You are indeed the horses ass PAL! Even on Memorial Day you can't secure that anti-American lip of your's from flappin in the breeze! Listen-up traitor! The Men you label "simpletons" gave their blood & courage to buy US all our Freedom! They are made of grit, heart, and soul that you will never begin to comprehend because you are a self-absorbed coward. An empty barrel that echos enemy propaganda. And you'll die like a bug having never lived like a Man. Code of Conduct "I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." "I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America."... On Watch

Thanks, OW. I haven't read those words in quite a while. I'm going to find the whole Code in a nice printable format and hang them up. I'd be proud to serve with you anytime. Displacedjim

All we would need was 25,000 troops. The USAF is the key component.

I know I am arriving late here, but I would like to hear more from "displacedjim". You mentioned that Syrian's air defenses would be little trouble to deal with. How do Iran's air defenses compare? Are they better or worse than Iraq's and Syria's? Does Iran use a Soviet-style system or something different? Do they have anything American that still functions? Obviously, nothing secret should be disclosed.