Posted on 07/18/2004 2:31:18 PM PDT by M. Peach
I'll believe it when the crap hits the fan.
And what crap it will be. Eventually, it will all blow over...
"One Washington security expert suggested the Iranians might simply blockade the Straits of Hormuz and cut the world off from Middle Eastern oil for a short period.
A more likely scenario would be Iran using biological and chemical weapons against Israel."
The blockade would never happen. Not in an election year.
If they do chem/bio Israel, I think the major population centers in Iran will be re-named "hot zone's" for a long, long time.
Time is of essence!
I see Sharon as more of a hawk than Begin. Surely he won't allow Iran that type of leverage. What other options are there? Iran surely realizes that if they block Hormuz - we will definitely get involved.
I don't think Iran will retaliate - just like Iraq did not.
I hope Israel does it, then says to Bush, "Okay, we took care of Iran's nuclear program. Why don't you step up and deal with North Korea?"
We're already a target.
The mullahs have preached hatred and bloodlust against us all along.
They are the source-point for the ideology that drives Islamo-fascism.
Perhaps they should target the top thousand mullahs on the day they target the nuke facilities.
Hard to say which of the two targets' destruction would contribute to peace the most.
A more likely scenario would be Iran using biological and chemical weapons against Israel."
Newsmax is so full of crap. Iran doesn't have the sea or air power to blockade a bathtub, much less the world's oil.
Moreover, without nukes of their own, Iran can't do squat to Israel...lest Iran be destroyed by Israel's 200+ nukes.
Oh, and if Israel is going to take out Iran's reactors, the smart money would be just after Sharon pulls out of Gaza (because he'll need to shore up his right wing support at home at that point). Like I said, Newsmax is completely full of crap.
10 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires
>>One Washington security expert suggested the Iranians might simply blockade the Straits of Hormuz and cut the world off from Middle Eastern oil for a short period.<<
With a significant amount of the United States Navy and Air Force present in the Persian Gulf region, the lifespan of Iranian forces attempting to block the Straits of Hormuz would be very short and exciting. Would provide a good pretext for direct action against the mullahs.
The trick for the Israelis is how to execute the missions without getting intercepted enroute by those same forces. Or perhaps cooperate? That would be an interesting photo - heavily armed Israeli attack jets and fighter escorts tanking from USAF KC-10s.
Yeah, I hope Iran does try to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. It'll provide our submarine fleet some good target practice.
Well, it maybe time to call upon the U.S. Navy.
One boomer stationed off each country can neutralize the threat.
If Sharon/Israel allow Iran to get nukes, it's all over. Fini, end of Israel. The only safe place for a jew to live will be the United States, as the entire State of Israel will cease to exist. Irans leaders are insane.
I really hope Sharon is hawkish enough. Israel will be nuked once one of these nutjob arab/muzzie states get a bomb.
This makes sense, but of course there's a minor editorial error in the article. Iran is a fundamentalist muslim nation and is sworn to the destruction of Israel, but Iran is not an arab nation. Iran is predominantly persian. Moot issue of course, in the context of the muslim war against Israel, but it's still careless editing on the part of Newsmax.
One wonders how long we can stem the flow. Eventually, I see two ultimate scenarios for the planet earth - and let me know if you disagree.
#1. Terrorists or warring nations will destroy or nearly annihilate the human race either through nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. The proliferation of technology and everyone's access to it make it inevitable.
#2. In our efforts to protect ourselves, we will need to monitor as closely as possible everyone on earth through surveillance technology. Everytime terrorists attack, more measures will be implemented until every possible loophole is closed. The Orwellian era prevails.
Can you think of any other ultimate outcome?
And refuse Iran the right to support it's people with energy which is so needed?
Gosh, it's not like Iran has any energy alternatives. /s
IMHO, it is likely that strikes will happen and rightfully so.
Disclaimer - I am not a war monger.
I find myself hoping that Israel will do a preemptive strike on Iran just like it did to Iraq. Actually, the U.S. should do this, but we cannot because president Bush has been hamstrung over taking preemptive action against Iraq - which - in may opinion - was the right thing to do. I think the preemptive strike doctrine of the Bush administration is exactly how this country should conduct its foreign affairs with "hostile" countries. Israel has been doing this for a long time.
The hard truth is that the middle east will never be "pacified" until all strongholds of radical Islamists are destroyed and turned into western like democracies.
That means Iran, Syria, Jordan(?) will all need to fall. It is also time to make it clear to moderate Islamic states like Saudia Arabia, Yemen, etc. that they must crush the radicals in their countries or be considered as subject to overthrow also.
I am not talking about setting up a colonial American Empire. I just want to see western like democracies. That is the only "secular" thing I think will be remotely succesful over there.
I can.
Preemptive action, will guarantee this scenario to be stifled before a massive loss of human life should even be considered.
"The hard truth is that the middle east will never be "pacified" until all strongholds of radical Islamists are destroyed and turned into western like democracies."
And right you are - This is exactly the main reason why we went into Iraq. - hopefully spreading Democracy to the other Muslim countries.
Ultimately - this is the best way to fight Islamc terrorisim. Get the Muslim democratic nations to stop it.
To quote Paul Nitze, "Peace Through Strength".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.