Syria and Iran.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by beej

Perhaps, but somehow I just don't see all of that falling into place without some extremist element somewhere doing something boneheaded that turns the region into powder keg. With respect to 'green lighting' Israel there are other players in the region who may not see that as optimal.

Yes, but you seem to be assuming that these people earned any lessons from the Iraq and Afghanistan misadventures.

We can also discuss how the other players in the area, particular the secular regimes like Bahrain and Qatar, would feel about having a militant Islamic state in their midst. They might also like to see an Israel weakened by a prolonged conflict.

Plus the NeoCons want Iran's oil.

John

[bobabode]

Originally Posted by beej

Perhaps, but somehow I just don't see all of that falling into place without some extremist element somewhere doing something boneheaded that turns the region into powder keg. With respect to 'green lighting' Israel there are other players in the region who may not see that as optimal.

Turkey?

[piece-itpete]

Yeah, like Iraqs.

Pete

[beej]

John, is it your belief that this country has the stomach for another war? It is my belief that we do not. It would be one thing if there were something overt and big like the 9-11 attacks. As it stands, I don't see us doing anything large scale with the possible exception of carrier strikes and surface and submarine launched cruise missiles.

[beej]

Originally Posted by bobabode

Turkey?

For one, yes. For another Saudi Arabia. And to be honest, Russia is not going to like anything that involves combat operations in either Syria or Iran.

[piece-itpete]

Iran tries to close down the Strait of Hormuz and it's combat.

Pete

[beej]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Iran tries to close down the Strait of Hormuz and it's combat.

Pete

That would be a strategic blunder that I do not believe the Iranians, for all their bluster, are foolish enough to try. Quite soon I think we will see a USN show of force in that area that would give Lord Nelson a woody.

[preferred u]

Question is .....Will China loan us the money for another war ?

[piece-itpete]

beej I kinda agree, at least I hope so.

I suspect China will go along with us on this but sooner or later they are going to flex their (appreciable and growing) muscle.

Pete

[merrylander]

Considering that we are losing warriors to suicide at the rate of one a day we do not need another war.