You said -- "Yeah, I'm sure Iran's desire to destroy Israel was based on whether or not we made this port deal."
Iran getting the bomb or not depends solely on our ability to stop them. That's all. Nothing more.
Taking the UAE out of the picture (as far as our presence there) will limit that ability. That's the point of having the UAE.
Take a look at the map and see where the UAE is relation to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran said they were going to "shut down". Then you'll see the extreme advantage of having a presence *exactly there*.
In addition, we're not *fighting* inside the borders of the UAE. Our position is pretty safe there. However, we *are fighting* (to this day) inside of Iraq and still have plenty of enemies that are blowing up our soldiers. Of the two places to be (and to be based), the UAE is much better and safer and doesn't distract our military from their present situation of fighting the enemy directly and in front of their faces (as in Iraq) -- versus -- having a secure staging area and no worries about fighting an enemy right in front of you (as in the UAE).
And if that wasn't enough, you also have another position and side to launch attacks upon Iran, besides from within Iraq. We're tied down in Iraq whereas we're not tied down in the UAE.
Regards,
Star Traveler
We have the ability to stop them. It has nothing to do with a port in Dubai.
Taking the UAE out of the picture (as far as our presence there) will limit that ability. That's the point of having the UAE.
It's not working, if that's the case. Iran magically circumvented our steel curtain in Dubai and is building nuclear weaponry anyway.
"Take a look at the map and see where the UAE is relation to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran said they were going to "shut down". Then you'll see the extreme advantage of having a presence *exactly there*. "
How will this stop Iran from launching a nuclear missile at Israel? And how does NOT having it prevent us from firing off a nuclear missile from a sub outside the gulf if Tehran decided do just that?
I understand what you're saying, but we have a massive base of operations in Baghdad already. You think Iran isn't a little queasy about that? Dubai won't make them any queasier. We can drive our tanks right over the border and go straight to the Capital.
And if that wasn't enough, you also have another position and side to launch attacks upon Iran, besides from within Iraq. We're tied down in Iraq whereas we're not tied down in the UAE.
You make a good point here, although, let's face it, Iran would love to have control of Dubai all the same. I HIGHLY doubt UAE will actually tell our military to go home, whatever business punishment they try to inflict.