Iran


Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 2,175
From: Texas
The ONLY reason that Iran has a nuclear program is to provide it the means to make a nuclear weapon. To say that a country swimming in oil and gas needs nuclear power for energy generation is risible. They have long term form in hiding nuclear production facilities and enriching uranium way past any possible peaceful use. As soon as Iran makes a bomb the security calculus in the area immediately and permanently changes. The options to constrain the malevolent reach of Iran's fanatical leadership is dramatically reduced. The senior leadership of Iran routinely call for "death to America and death to Israel" so I would suggest that eliminating Iran's nuclear weapons is in the national security interests of the US.
I firmly believe the right thing to do is to bomb every nuclear or nuclear related site to dust, but then follow up with a relaxation of sanctions contingent on Iran not rebuilding any of its infrastructure. This is a Middle East inflection point. The combination of the destruction of Iran's proxies along with the collapsing Iranian economy gives the US and Israel an unprecedented chance to reorder the security situation in the area. Time for the US to step up.
I firmly believe the right thing to do is to bomb every nuclear or nuclear related site to dust, but then follow up with a relaxation of sanctions contingent on Iran not rebuilding any of its infrastructure. This is a Middle East inflection point. The combination of the destruction of Iran's proxies along with the collapsing Iranian economy gives the US and Israel an unprecedented chance to reorder the security situation in the area. Time for the US to step up.

Joined: Apr 2001
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 245
Likes: 94
From: yes
Turns out that the Iranian regime is a paper Tiger. This fact may not be be lost on the population as a whole.
I for one look forward to Iran becoming a stable outward looking country and probably a dominant economic power in the middle east. Certainly the Iranians I know are an impressive people.
I for one look forward to Iran becoming a stable outward looking country and probably a dominant economic power in the middle east. Certainly the Iranians I know are an impressive people.


Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 9,328
Likes: 2,175
From: Texas
Sorry to be a cynical fkuc here, but has he not just baited Iran into trying a fifth column strike on an American nuclear site?
Their "get even" attitude isn't going away any time soon.
Their "get even" attitude isn't going away any time soon.

Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 739
Likes: 258
From: Midlands

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,081
Likes: 252
From: London/Oxford/New York

Joined: Aug 2003
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 186
Likes: 44
From: Lounge Bar, 'Kebab & Calculator', Melksham
Operation Ajax (Wikipedia link)

Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 739
Likes: 258
From: Midlands
Trump - 'Fordo site completely gone'
How does he know at this early stage?
Were the Iranians prepared and made alternative arrangements?
Did the Iranians want to draw the USA into this conflict? (Given Trumps attitude, have they got something else up their sleeve?)
Was Fordo a 'red herring'
So many questions non of us can answer.
How does he know at this early stage?
Were the Iranians prepared and made alternative arrangements?
Did the Iranians want to draw the USA into this conflict? (Given Trumps attitude, have they got something else up their sleeve?)
Was Fordo a 'red herring'
So many questions non of us can answer.

Joined: Jun 2013
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 99
From: Róisín Dubh
If Iran doesn't retaliate against US targets then one would hope that's the end of it as far as the US is concerned. Hopefully thats the enrichment programme reset to day zero.
The Ayotallah and his cronies are scumbags, but as we've seen in various other countries in the Arab world, toppling a scumbag usually makes things worse.
I read somewhere last week that the Shah's son wants to be an interim leader if the current regime is toppled. An awful idea IMO, his father's brutality is why the current bunch of nutbags took over when they did.
The Ayotallah and his cronies are scumbags, but as we've seen in various other countries in the Arab world, toppling a scumbag usually makes things worse.
I read somewhere last week that the Shah's son wants to be an interim leader if the current regime is toppled. An awful idea IMO, his father's brutality is why the current bunch of nutbags took over when they did.




Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Well now....B-2's with GBU-57's (probably) and well within the two weeks thing....now the chattering classes will be all up in arms about Trump doing something having ranted and raved about his NOT doing something.
You cannot have it both ways folks...so which is it you support?
Heck...let's make the question simpler yet....exactly what is your solution to Iran getting nuclear weapons?
Only an Idiot would think Iran having Nukes would improve the situation in the Middle East and the World overall.
Why is it the IDF and USAF seem to be the only counter to the despotic Iranian Regime getting Nukes?
Are the Brits and the EU sitting this one out?
You cannot have it both ways folks...so which is it you support?
Heck...let's make the question simpler yet....exactly what is your solution to Iran getting nuclear weapons?
Only an Idiot would think Iran having Nukes would improve the situation in the Middle East and the World overall.
Why is it the IDF and USAF seem to be the only counter to the despotic Iranian Regime getting Nukes?
Are the Brits and the EU sitting this one out?

Joined: Aug 2003
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 186
Likes: 44
From: Lounge Bar, 'Kebab & Calculator', Melksham

Joined: Aug 2003
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 186
Likes: 44
From: Lounge Bar, 'Kebab & Calculator', Melksham
The thing that I still find staggering, was that this attack was announced on Trump's own social media site, rather than through official channels.



Joined: Nov 2011
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 2,870
Likes: 508
From: Japan
Concerning Trump's tweet. There was a time when successful meant just that. Successful. And we could trust this meaning.
'Very' successful for me simpy adds doubt, that maybe it wasn't actually successful, or he doesn't really know, but he wants to get the first word in, and that this is political grandstanding.
And I wish he would abandon final usage of the cliche': "Thank you for your attention to this matter". This conventional phrase is used in advance, bureaucratically, when requesting a subordinate to do something that has not yet been properly addressed. It is not appropriate here, again undermining his message content.
'Very' successful for me simpy adds doubt, that maybe it wasn't actually successful, or he doesn't really know, but he wants to get the first word in, and that this is political grandstanding.
And I wish he would abandon final usage of the cliche': "Thank you for your attention to this matter". This conventional phrase is used in advance, bureaucratically, when requesting a subordinate to do something that has not yet been properly addressed. It is not appropriate here, again undermining his message content.





