All in all I expect some land based assassinations etc etc, and Iran to be nuclear with 5000km missiles (I think thats what NOKO is peddling nowadays). Missile defense is the only option.

I wonder if anyone thought of that-
1) Iraq 20,000,000 population, Iran 80,000,000 mixed terrain (not flat l;ike Iraq), historical dislike of Britain and America (recent is due to propping Shah and Savak)
2) Cost of Iraq war $1 trillion and climbing
3) Impact of Persian Gulf disruption $300/barrel oil and collapse of several economies.
4) China, Japan, Russia have substantial US bonds that are needed to finance the war. They could dump those and buy less.

All in all I expect some land based assassinations etc etc, and Iran to be nuclear with 5000km missiles (I think thats what NOKO is peddling nowadays). Missile defense is the only option.

You haven't considered the question of the cost of not forcing Iran to abandon its quest for nuclear arms.

Always compare alternatives.

I do not accept the premise that Iran is a rogue state or an extremist state. Even if it acquired nukes on a missile they are not crazy or motivated to risk Israels revenge. There is a MAD which prevented so many wars. Iran also needs business from Europe, China, etc. In fact the Vatican is more zealous in spreading Catholicism. Iran threat is over-rated. I know plenty of people who do business in Iran and know loads of Iranians here. I never met a nutjob. And as far as the rabid street potests go, thats just their style. Its not a threat.

 

What happened with Shah was not unexpected and that was the era of the end of colonialism too. By and large Iranians do not harbor any major ill will towards anyone. You cannot blame Iranians for what they are. Israel is a hot potato issue in the Middle East, Britain has a legacy of colonialism, and US/UK conspired to overthrow a democratically elected government to install their puppet Shah. Israel has 100+ nukes and it was formed in 1948, if u were Iranian it would even be an ego issue. If only 3million population Israel has the bomb how can Iran with 80million people been there as local topdog for centuries not have one. Iran is a Shia state, Pakistan is Sunni and they have one, Saudi may have some. Talebans make takeover Pak and attack Shia Iran through Afghanistan.

 

Call me warped about this issue, but its totally understandable and acceptable for Iran to have a bomb.In fact they should have a few dozen. I have always believed that the greatest ally of sorts against Islamic(read Sunni) extremism will be SHia Iran. If you were Iranian and proud would not desperately want a warhead on mssile. Sure you would . And thats why they will get one- at any cost. If Israel hs one, Pakistan has one, Saudi has one Iran will get one-100%.Human ego is a great motivator. Call it regional peer pressure.

What an awesome idea.  Let's give raving madmen who like to yell things like "Death to America" and "Imagine a world without Israel" nuclear weapons.  I know, I know...it's all rhetoric for the Iranian masses, who love Ahmadinejad so much they spontaneously shoot each other in raptures of joy for the 12th Imam's coming.  And the UN didn't blink for an hour because Allah told Ahmadinejad they wouldn't.

 

I'd say "let's give a monkey a machine gun" instead, but gun control laws probably prevent it.  Would almost be as much fun, though.

 

In case you haven't noticed, Zoo, in your mansion in California there, the Pope isn't in the habit of calling for the death of infidels, and the Knights of Columbus isn't exactly Hezbollah.  Back in the 1400s, maybe, but not now.  So yeah, your remark about the Vatican being more aggressive than Iran in exporting their beliefs is worse than your usual drivel.  I expect that sort of thing from Tigertony; your usual speed is "America goin down hahahaha u r stupid if u think otherwise China Uber Alles".  You trolls need to get your stories straight.

 

I do find it interesting that you favor missile defense.  I do too, but our illustrious leader prefers the Give Them a Big Hug defense.   

 

a) U think Iran has the ballz to use a nuke

b) Whats the biggest nuke they could make- 10kton- there is easily that much TNT around, I didn't say they should have ICBM MIRV with 2000kton warhead. Just the little ones on Shahab which can be hit by an ABM anyway.

c) If Iran uses a bomb it will be levelled- thats a guarantee, and if it has too many weapons and aggressive posture they maybe pre-empted, they shout slogans like madmen the opponents may retaliate or pre-emptively nuke Iran.

 

Iran doesn't bother me.

 

Worry about the terror groups that want one or two bombs.

Iran does not say death to the infidels- it does say to some countries as their political situation or allegiance, recently it was death to Russia when Rafsanjhani group disputed elections, as Iran is Russia's client state. But clearly they are Al Quaida who dos say death to the infidels and they are dangerous. And yes to this day Christian groups expand religion via terrorism and violence (surprised?), but its not  the Pope or done on a routine outrageous scale as the dopeheads in Iran and Middle East.

No debate Iranian mullahs are unsavory, but suicidal or crazy they are not. And then what will Iran do if faced with Talebanized Saudi, Afghanistan, Pakistan with nukes. There is a second security dilemma for Iran, and its the Sunni extremists. Iran could one day face a nuclear Sunni radical state. And as I am from Texas- I say gun rights for all.

And I'm sure that the entire ruling clique of Iran today standing up in session and chanting "Death to America" today--mere rhetoric.  Just like "Sieg Heil."

 

Oh, don't get me wrong.  If Iran is dumb or suicidal enough to nuke anyone, Teheran will cease to exist.  Unfortunately, it's really going to suck for whoever gets nuked.  And since you rightfully fear jihadist groups, maybe you might recall who funds and supports jihadist groups.  If you answered "Iran," you get a prize! 

 

So let's say Ahmadinejad decides he wants to kill Americans ('cause he's actually serious about "burning Obama's hands").  He gives a nuke to AQ or some other nutbar group.  They detonate it in the US.  Iran has plausible deniability, and I'm sure the dust wouldn't even be settling before Russia and China are in the UN screaming "Don't hurt Iran, America!  They had nothing to do with this!" 

 

You also make the mistake of assuming the Iranian leadership is rational.  If you've ever actually listened to what Ahmadinejad spews, he's a few fries short of a Happy Meal.