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Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan
True enough. But "make things tough" is a different proposition than invading and establishing command and control--which is probably what it would take to get Iran to abandon their nuclear ambitions. Let's not forget that Ahmadinejad (sp?!) is probably crazy--and not that well liked in Iran anyway. A war with the U.S., especially a relatively powerless U.S., might be just the tonic he needs to rally the people behind him.
Also, it's a mountainous region, far larger than Iraq, and far more militarily powerful, with more money, more stability as a regime, etc. etc. There's a reason they're rattling their sabres right now. I don't think Iran is very afraid of the U.S. at the moment--which may be the gravest miscalculation Bush has made--overestimating the ability of the U.S. to use their military might to influence the actions of others.
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If the Americans can locate Iranian nuclear facilities, they will take it out from the air. The Israelis did exactly this to the Iraqis in the 1980s and destroyed their nuclear program. The Americans can't occupy anybody right now, but their capabilities are far from exhausted. The Iranians may be saber-rattling, but it's just bluffing. No one can go toe-to-toe with the Americans in any kind of shooting war. If Ahmanidenjad (sp??) really wants to play with the nuclear powers, he better be prepared to go all of the way. I don't think the Americans would prove hesitant to use their own weapons if they felt severely threatened.