Can America Afford Another War?

[tritiuminator]

As the dogs of war is about to be unleashed on Iran, was curious to know what Amercians thought about it all. So I've posted a poll with questions as to whether America should participate in, what some believe might be WWIII.

Thanks in advance for your participation and feel free to post your comments.

VICTUS HONOR

[Scott Free]

In before the move!

You may as well ask a moderator to move this to the Political Arena for you, because it's going there anyway.

(On second thought, it doesn't really meet the qualifications for the PA.)

[UffDa]

Sniff Sniff. I smell a thread that should probably be in the political forum.

My answer. Of course we can't afford another war. We can't afford the ones we are in now, but that won't stop us.

[tritiuminator]

oops. Sorry guys please move. my bad

[powernoodle]

People forget that this has happened before without precipitating WWIII. Recall Operation Opera in 1981, when Israel took out a nuclear reactor near Bagdad. The world condemned evil Israel for striking the peace-loving Iranian regime, but here we are again. And unlike in 1981, we now have an American regime that is openly hostile to Israel. I do foresee these events as affecting crude oil prices, but not bringing about a world war.

[Scott Free]

oops. Sorry guys please move. my bad

Don't be sorry. It's just a mistake. Once this gets moved, you'll glad that it did. If you've never been there, the Political Arena is a place of peace, love, happiness and friendship!

[Gollnick]

First, if there's gonna be a move, it'll probably be to W&C since the OP falls well-short of requirements for PA. In the PA, you can't just ask a question. You have to give your answer -- and explaination -- too.

But, beyond that, the poll asks two questions at once. What's up with that?

And for a third question: Can America -- or the world -- afford a nuclear-armed Iran? There's an old adage about a stitch in time.

[Mike G]

We'll see how it goes before we dicide to move it or not.

Keep it civil.

[tritiuminator]

But, beyond that, the poll asks two questions at once. What's up with that?

And for a third question: Can America -- or the world -- afford a nuclear-armed Iran? There's an old adage about a stitch in time.

Should be Yes! instead of 'If' to that poll question. Feel free to get Mods to amend if its a problem.

Can the World / America afford a nuclear arm North Korea? Whats the diff?

[tritiuminator]

People forget that this has happened before without precipitating WWIII. Recall Operation Opera in 1981, when Israel took out a nuclear reactor near Bagdad. The world condemned evil Israel for striking the peace-loving Iranian regime...

Also known as Operation Babylon

But isn't Bagdad in Iraq? Where does the Iranian regime come into it?

Unless you mean the Iranian's attempt to bomb the same site in Sept 1980 with two F-4 Phantoms at the urgence of Israel. The Khomeni regime even offered the Israelis to land their planes in Tabriz, Iran in case of emergency.

[Chris Pierce]

The question you are asking is huge. And it's the first of heard of it. I know that Israel is upset with Iran, and I've heard that Iran has been working on a nuclear reactor. (I heard on the radio, a few months (weeks maybe) ago that) the CIA had admitted to using computer worms to disable the Iranian attempts at a reactor.

Do you have links to articles that give more information? I had not heard that Isreal was about to invade or otherwise attack Iran. I have heard that Israel was threatening to use air strikes against them in they enriched their uranium too much. But they've been saying that for a long time.


To answer your question, No. I don't think that we should support Isreal in this. If Iran wants Nuclear Power
I say let them have it. If they actually get a bomb and threaten to use it against their neighbors, then yes their neighbors ought to carpet bomb most of the country and then get paid to rebuild it and make nice.
ON the other hand, will an attack on Iran prompt more western hate in the rest of the Arab Muslim world? Is it worth it? WWIII is a pretty strong word. I'd say that Iran would need to find some much more powerful allies before it turn into a world war.


And what's the deal with North Korea? We KNOW that they have nuclear weapons. But that's okay because they aren't Muslim Arabs? Or are they just not a legitimate threat in some way? I probably have not been following North Korea as closely as I should.

[Chris Pierce]

Also known as Operation Babylon

But isn't Bagdad in Iraq? Where does the Iranian regime come into it?

A really good question...





EDIT:

After reading the wiki link, There was an operation by IRAN (called Scorching Sword) 3 months before that apparently destroyed the (french sold) IRAQI nuclear reactor. So I'm not sure What the Israeli's were doing bombing the sight again.



Edit again:

I think that another good question to ask would be this, What should we do about the other Arab Muslim countries with Nuclear weapons? The ones who did not sigh the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Pakistan and Turkey. Are we so afraid of the Muslims that we should just destroy all their means of defense? After all, the best defense is a good offense right?

[SamuraiDave]

Yes we can "afford" it.
No we won't invade.
The USA's actions probably will go unnoticed by most of the world. (Just like China testing ballistic missiles off of the coast of California.)

The entire mideast is itching for a fight with Israel.
If the actions that are taken become apparent it will be just like the 1991 Gulf War. If we strike first everyone in the mideast and the rest of the world will see it as a thing they can make money off of.
However if Israel strikes first it will be seen as "an act of aggression", and will probably kick off all kinds of military shenanigans.

Regardless of what happens or the order of it all I am constantly amazed at how many folks are out there just itching to get themselves into trouble.

[tritiuminator]

...Do you have links to articles that give more information? I had not heard that Isreal was about to invade or otherwise attack Iran. I have heard that Israel was threatening to use air strikes against them in they enriched their uranium too much. But they've been saying that for a long time...

... And what's the deal with North Korea? We KNOW that they have nuclear weapons. But that's okay because they aren't Muslim Arabs? Or are they just not a legitimate threat in some way? I probably have not been following North Korea as closely as I should.

I daily google Iran Israel to read up on the latest news. Not on the brink of war as yet but interesting reading

Regarding N Korea, I've haven't brought in religion to it. Should I?

Should it be an issue if Iran wishes to have the big nuclear stick like others? Agree with you, its their right, just don't threaten or wave it around. Have they made such threats?

[petah]

I think America would see plenty more embassy bombings and more days like 'September 11th' if it proceeds to make more imbalances in the middle east.

[UffDa]

I think a good question might be, if Iran develops a nuke, would they actually use it on Israel? Are they that crazy? There is a lot of sword rattling and threats, but Iran
has to know that Israel is a nuclear power (since 1967) and would retaliate 10 fold or more. The same goes for No. Korea. Who would they use their nuke on without
massive retaliation?

IMHO, it's all nothing but posturing. I could be wrong.

[Steven65]

To answer your question, No. I don't think that we should support Isreal in this. If Iran wants Nuclear Power
I say let them have it. If they actually get a bomb and threaten to use it against their neighbors, then yes their neighbors ought to carpet bomb most of the country and then get paid to rebuild it and make nice.

If the Iranians were to use a nuclear weapon on Israel it would result in the destruction of Iran as Israel has a full ballistic nuclear deterrent. What is more likely is that the Iranians pack one into a 20ft container and ship it to the east coast of the US, somewhere like Long Island. Or alternatively they attack the Straits of Homuz destroying the West's ability to ship oil.

The Iranians are hell bent on the destruction of Israel, The Christian West and the Sunni Muslim population of the Middle East. Not stopping them is like allowing a convicted psychopathic criminal to purchase automatic weapons.......

Only the US has the hardware to significantly damage the sites in a permanent way. Israel does not posses the strategic long range bombers to successfully carry out a mission of this kind. Only the US has the capability.

Such a mission would not really be a war or invasion but rather a surgical destruction of an enemy asset and it would hardly increase the current deficit by any meaningful amount. I think the US should strike the sites as quickly and possible and remove the threat once and for all. Unlike Afghanistan or Iraq, a nuclear Iran poses a genuine threat to the US and the West's safety from weapons of mass destruction.

Yes the US can afford to do this and the bigger question is, can they afford not to...........?

[Esav Benyamin]

Here we go, off to the Political Arena. Not the best start, but the discussion is shaping up nicely.

[Fieldtestornothing]

Hope to not sound to much like a wierdo here. Worked in an armed profession in the middle east for a good precentage of my 20's. I have made many good friends in Iraq, Kuwait, Africa, Saudi, UAE and Afghanistan. Despite I'm going to call this like I see it.

The islamic world only respects one thing. That is violence. They view America as a politically paralyzed nation of has been warriors, to weak to do whats necessary to win any war long term. The world wide islamic regime is continually challenging and winning political battles all over the world. They are exploiting our political weaknesses and 'rights'.

Never forget that the Islamic worlds long term priority is to convert or kill the entire world population and initiate/enforce islamic law. It is posturing to accomplish this world wide in many ways. The use of violence is only one such way. Areas that can be converted by force are. Areas that have a stronger military presence are being 'attacked' in alternate ways. Don't doubt for a minute if they could ensure a military victory that would accomplish their long term goals they would do it immediately. They don't have the ability right now.

But if things continue to go the same way they will eventually.

America cannot afford to not cripple Iran right now. The islamic world hates america because of who we are and what we represent. A preemptive attack would only enable us improved posture for the future. Both militarily and as a 'show of force'. Why wait to deal with a country that so obviously hates us when it is a nucluer threat? If we are gonna get in a scrap with Iran lets get it over with now and make a show of force to the rest of the world that we can still do whats necessary to see our way of life continue. But please lets leave the occupation to someone else

[quietmike]

A high altitude emp airburst from a single nuclear warhead could disrupt all of the U.S. long enough that well over half our population would perish.

Compare the cost of action vs. inaction.