Who should deal with Iran?

[Bloodshot Scott]

America/Israel
Europe
Their surrounding nation states
Other
No one

Speak on it...

 

[MrZiggles]

I voted for Other. Israel wasn't an option.

 

[luis1972]

surrounding ciuntries

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

I voted for Other. Israel wasn't an option.

Because anything Israel does is pretty much backed by us, was my thinking.

 

[grower_boy]

Saudi Arabia is the country that springs to my mind. I remember hearing that the Saudi royal family secretly urged the United States to invade Iran, and it was revealed through wikileaks. I have also heard that they are thinking about starting a nuclear weapons program of their own.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Saudi Arabia is the country that springs to my mind. I remember hearing that the Saudi royal family secretly urged the United States to invade Iran, and it was revealed through wikileaks. I have also heard that they are thinking about starting a nuclear weapons program of their own.

That's what I was thinking. Also:

HONOLULU — Fortifying one of its key allies in the Persian Gulf, the Obama administration announced a weapons deal with Saudi Arabia on Thursday, saying it had agreed to sell F-15 fighter jets valued at nearly $30 billion to the Royal Saudi Air Force.


The agreement, and the administration’s parallel plans to press ahead with a nearly $11 billion arms deal for Iraq, despite rising political tensions there, is dramatic evidence of its determination to project American military influence in an oil-rich region shadowed by a threat from Iran.

Though the White House said the deal had not been accelerated to respond to threats by Iranian officials in recent days to shut off the Strait of Hormuz, its timing is laden with significance, as tensions with Iran have deepened and the United States has withdrawn its last soldiers from Iraq.

“This sale will send a strong message to countries in the region that the United States is committed to stability in the gulf and the broader Middle East,” said Andrew J. Shapiro, the assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs. “It will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter and defend against external threats to its sovereignty.”

The agreement also suggests that the United States and Saudi Arabia have moved beyond a bitter falling-out over the uprisings in the Arab world. Though the two countries continue to differ on how to handle the popular revolts in the region, American and Saudi officials said, the disagreement has not fractured a strategic alliance based on a common concern over Iran.

Saudi Arabia is a longtime foe of Iran, with relations souring further last fall after the United States broke up what it said was an Iranian-backed plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to Washington. Iran has denied the accusations.

“When you look at the size of this package, what does it tell you about U.S.-Saudi relations?” said a senior Saudi official, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to speak publicly. “It says it’s very strong and very solid. Any disagreements from time to time don’t affect the core relationship.”

The weapons package is remarkable, both for its size and for its technical sophistication. Under the terms of the $29.4 billion agreement signed on Dec. 24, Saudi Arabia will get 84 new F-15SA jets, manufactured by Boeing, and upgrades to 70 F-15s in the Saudi fleet with new munitions and spare parts. It will also get help with training, logistics and maintenance.

The new F-15s, which will be delivered in 2015, are among the most capable and versatile fighter jets in the world, Pentagon officials said. They will come with the latest air-to-air missiles and precision-guided air-to-ground missiles, enabling them to strike ships and radar facilities day or night and in any weather.

Though Mr. Shapiro and other officials said the planes were intended to help Saudi Arabia protect its sovereignty, military analysts said they would be effective against Iranian planes and ships anywhere in the Persian Gulf. They are part of a 10-year, $60 billion weapons package for Saudi Arabia that was approved last year by Congress.

At the time, there was a vigorous debate, with some lawmakers arguing that such a huge arms package would threaten the military position of Israel. Mr. Shapiro, speaking at a State Department briefing, said the administration was satisfied that the sale of the F-15s would not diminish “Israel’s qualitative military edge.”

The White House portrayed the arms sale as part of a concerted effort to shore up its relationship with Saudi Arabia. President Obama has made several telephone calls to King Abdullah, a senior official said; the national security adviser, Thomas E. Donilon, traveled twice to the Saudi capital, Riyadh; and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. led a high-level delegation to the funeral of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz in October.

Early this year, the Saudis were furious when Mr. Obama withdrew support for Egypt’s embattled president, Hosni Mubarak, after he faced massive protests in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Later, it was the White House’s turn to be upset, when Saudi tanks rolled into neighboring Bahrain to help quash a mainly Shiite rebellion against that kingdom’s Sunni monarchy.

Yet Saudi Arabia and the United States continue to cooperate in areas like counterterrorism. In recent weeks, the two have worked to resolve the crisis in Yemen, where President Ali Abdullah Saleh has formally agreed to cede power in a Saudi-brokered agreement and has applied for a visa to travel to the United States for medical treatment.

“The agreement reinforces the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia,” Joshua R. Earnest, the White House’s deputy press secretary, said in a statement issued in Hawaii, where Mr. Obama is on vacation.

With the United States pulling out of Iraq, the administration has been eager to demonstrate that it will remain a presence in the region. It is proceeding with weapons sales to Iraq, despite fears that Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki may abandon his American-backed power-sharing government in favor of a Shiite-dominated state.

The administration has weighed stationing combat troops in Kuwait in case of a military confrontation with Iran or a collapse in security in Iraq. It is also seeking to expand military ties with other gulf countries, including Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

“I see this more in the longer-term effort by the administration to signal that even with the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, the U.S. is still committed to the defense of its allies in the gulf and to the containment of Iran,” said F. Gregory Gause III, an expert on Saudi affairs at the University of Vermont.

The weapons deal, Mr. Gause said, also illustrated that the two countries could put aside their differences and focus on larger strategic priorities. “After some tension-filled months this year over Egypt and Bahrain, both sides have agreed to disagree on that, and agree on their common interests,” he said.

Mark Landler reported from Honolulu, and Steven Lee Myers from Washington. Eric Schmitt contributed reporting from Washington.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/w...ted-states-bolsters-ties-to-saudi-arabia.html

That would be perfect to keep us out of that whole ticking time bomb. If we go to war with Iran that will be the end of America as we know it.

 

[darkwarrior3007]

I was gonna say, let Europe have a shot at them, but I'm saying America since they want to put one of our guys to death. Seriously, next time, send grandma a post card.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Europe and/or Israel. We do not need another war in the middle east, anyone who says other wise should seriously have their head examined

 

[alexpnz]

Haitian Pirates

They would destroy that country!
They'll fight anybody....they don't give a fuck.
:1orglaugh

 

[grower_boy]

That's what I was thinking. Also:



http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/w...ted-states-bolsters-ties-to-saudi-arabia.html

That would be perfect to keep us out of that whole ticking time bomb. If we go to war with Iran that will be the end of America as we know it.

Very interesting article there; I repped you for it.

One question though, why would going to war with Iran be the end of America as we know it?

 

[Jagger69]

The USA will ultimately be forced to deal with them because the rest of the whole world always sits by idly and waits for us to take the lead. Then, everyone sits back and criticizes us.

Iran is BIG trouble. I hope that we can find an effective way outside of war to contend with Ahmadinejad and his minions but I fear that Iran's continued provocations and their untenable position regarding Israel will eventually lead to armed conflict. And if they get nukes....pobrecito!!!

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Very interesting article there; I repped you for it.

One question though, why would going to war with Iran be the end of America as we know it?

Oil prices would absolutely sore. It would be long and bloody; longer and bloodier than Iraq, by a long shot. Our economy would collapse. The only employment for our young people would be via the United States Armed Forces. That shit would cripple and end America entirely.


Also, their allies (think of Venezuela and co) would enter, possibly. Probably the start of WWIII

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Not anyone on this board.

 

[Sam Fisher]

If, and that's a big IF we go to war with Iran. I hope the military leaders fight the sonofobitchin' war to win. By that I mean, screw putting troops on the ground only to see them become maimed or killed by roadside bombs. Fuck that!

Air strikes day and fucking night. I'm talking Daisy Cutters and MOAB's, 24/7 until those fucks are wasted!

I'll support a war like that. But, another war like the one we played for 10 years now? No way!

 

[Mayhem]

I don't know why you put other choices. Europeans don't know how to fight wars. They make good door guards and re-supply schlepps, though. Each country in its own role. Americans fight, Europeans drive truck, Canada harbors our draft dodgers, Australia gives up their women when our boys go on leave. It's called the food chain and we remain on top of it.

 

[Ulysses31]

Looks like it's gonna have to be the US Bloodshot, bring back conscription!


'We'll set our sights on Washington': Chavez and Iran's Ahmadinejad JOKE about attacking U.S. with 'a big atomic bomb'

* 'That hill will open up and a big atomic bomb will come out'
* Meeting in Caracas comes on day Iran sentenced a man to death for allegedly spying on the country for the U.S.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...e-attacking-US-atomic-bomb.html#ixzz1j35nVmje

 

[Vanilla Bear]

I voted for Other. Israel wasn't an option.

Oh god imagine they both would destroy each other! We could get rid of them both at the same time. Awesome! *sigh*

 

[Bonezstorm]

Why do WE always have to deal with such bastards? We and the US don't have enough money either - for a war

 

[Pattheprovo]

LOLOCAUST. "Why does America have to deal with such people" Your in for the oil and your Zionist masters. I suggest you look at Ron Paul's campaign still is only honest politician has a real interesting theory the CIA call blowback. You where in before messing with that country only it was for your British pals.

And Sam if the Russians do enter they have parked an aircraft group down near there, Your little bombing campaign won't be the usual steam roll. Iran probably has some good anti aircraft hardware as well. I don't know how the Chinese will get involved but I suspect they naturally will probably through funding and arms supplies once the war gets down and dirty like Afghanistan and Iraq, After all your choking one of their supply lines. Containment.

 

[StanScratch]

Our economy and country's moral was already crippled by two other worthless wars in the Middle East.