I've read the same and agree it won't be easy. But if diplomacy fails we will be left with no other viable options, assuming our policy is to not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Even if we can't get every facility it will hopefully be enough to set them back a few years.

I also agree regime change is the way to go. I just can't see us imposing it the way we have in Iraq.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the regime in Iran wants the US to bomb Iran. They are not well liked and are in danger of being overthrown from within. If the US bombs the country and does not invade than the people may rally around the flag and the current regime might hang on for decades.

Surly the Iranian government must know that Bush and the Neocons mean business. If they just table their nuclear program for 47 months and a democrat gets elected in 2008 then they could resume with little likelihood of a war.


In international law I thought the rule was the a super power can de whatever they want.

I disagree. Iran has about 1,000 operational tanks and an army of 540,000 with 350,000 in reserve and 3 kilo subs.

While the US could win a war it would need several divisions and the logical place to attack is from Afghanistan. The mountains on the west make an attack from Iraq difficult.

http://www.csis.org/features/0407_IransMilForces.pdf

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Classic American liberal

Well....not anymore. Saddam has proven that non-super powers can do anything they want too.

We actually agree...I think some of the citizenry also would like to see the regime bombed out of office. I also agree that if they tabled their nuclear desires that a Democrat would be far less likely to bomb them if one was elected.

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All you need to know about the energy crisis:
ANWR Exploration Republicans: 91% Supported. Democrats: 86% Opposed.
Coal-to-liquid R's: 90% YES. D's: 78% NO.
Oil Shale Exploration R's: 90% YES. D's: 86% NO.
Outer Continental Shelf Exploration R's: 81% YES. D's: 83% NO.
Increased Refinery Capacity R's: 97% YES. D's: 96% NO

SUMMARY: 91% of House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of America’s own oil and gas. 86% of House Democrats have historically voted against.

[quote="Sadistic-Savior";p="111241"]
so again your saying china wouldn't be a threat?

giving money, nothing was said of weapons, we ar ediscussing them giving money....do pay attention 007.

Interesting conception of International Law and its application on this thread. Its ok to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities fearing that they might produce nuclear weapons in contravention of international agreements, but no suggestion to treat similarly with Israeli facilities which actually produce them. hmmm?

Or is the law to be selective? Who gets to 'make the selections'? By what right?

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"A man's work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened."