# Gulf War 3 thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 8, 2020, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100 "2020-01-08T01:13:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/41 "2020-01-08T05:53:42Z")
News is reporting that all 170 aboard that Boeing 737 are dead. Tragic as it may be, this may be a good opportunity to end the conflict and nip it in the bud. Trump can send his condolences to Iran, the Iranian government can focus on the crash and investigation, the media in Iran and West can focus on the crash instead, and a week or two later, the war doesn’t have to pick up where it left off. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/42 "2020-01-08T05:57:52Z")
His “All is well” tweet makes me think he had some knowledge that we’re not privy to, perhaps even in advance of the actual “attack.” He just doesn’t know how to play his cards, and he telegraphs \*way \*sooner than he should. No person in their right mind would tweet out “All is well” less than three hours after missiles hit a base where American soldiers live, unless he knew, for a fucking fact, that it was a nothingburder. He’s just too stupid to even play along to make the ‘tit for tat’ look legit. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/43 "2020-01-08T06:13:31Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > We can all agree that Donald Trump owns every life lost on both sides from this right? Like I’m assuming none of the Trumpists and Trumpists-lite on this board will claim otherwise? You do agree, don’t you, that it takes two to tango? Or is it your contention that poor, misunderstood, innocent Iran can kill as many people as it wants, in any way that it wants, and yet not bear any responsibility? ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/44 "2020-01-08T06:51:43Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > His “All is well” tweet makes me think he had some knowledge that we’re not privy to, perhaps even in advance of the actual “attack.” He just doesn’t know how to play his cards, and he telegraphs \*way \*sooner than he should. No person in their right mind would tweet out “All is well” less than three hours after missiles hit a base where American soldiers live, unless he knew, for a fucking fact, that it was a nothingburder. He’s just too stupid to even play along to make the ‘tit for tat’ look legit. After the dust settled and everyone at the White House went home, I was put in mind of a wrestling match. Everyone played their part and the onlookers pretended it was real. It looks like Iran told us where they would strike so our folks could get out of the way and we didn’t have to respond because they didn’t kill anyone. So all is well. Iran says they are done: > [@Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran](#): > > Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. > > We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression. And by the end of Hannity’s show tonight he was praising Trump for not escalating things further and being the bigger man. Of course, it remains to be seen if these pretenses will hold because you have angry men on one side and a petulant three year old surrounded by warhawks on the other. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/45 "2020-01-08T07:04:58Z")
For those questioning the response: It’s Trump. I mean…c’mon. Believe that…better or ill… ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/46 "2020-01-08T07:10:37Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > Those are area effect missiles, meant to be used with Gas or Nuke rounds. It is not 1991. Iraq was using 70s Soviet technology with updates to extend range that may have decreased accuracy even further. The Scud itself was based on an updated anti-aircraft missile related to the German V2. It only had a relatively crude inertial guidance system that worked while the rocket motor was still burning. After that the entire missile just followed its ballistic trajectory. Unsurprisingly, the circular error probability (CEP) was something like a mile or two. Close enough for nukes or chemical warheads but otherwise pretty limited in effectiveness unless you just want to blow things up at random in Tel Aviv or London. Iran has put quite a bit of effort into missiles in the almost three decades since the First Gulf War. Even without using WMD it serves a deterrent effect. There have gotten help from North Korea who has been a major developer, and exporter, of ballistic missile technology. They have gotten some help along the way including Chinese guidance technology. That bled over into Iranian missiles. Iran does better than the Iraqi Scuds that shaped public perceptions of ballistic missiles. [Cite](https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/irans-has-most-ballistic-missiles-middle-east-62137) > [@](#): > > The CEPs of Iran’s missiles are believed to vary widely, from 100 meters for short-range systems like the Fateh-110 and its derivatives and perhaps the longer-range Emad, to several hundred meters for the Shahab-1 and 2, the Qiam, and the Ghadr, to 1 km or more for the Shahab-3. That makes the relatively large conventional warheads on ballistic missiles effective in a way that Iraqi Scuds weren’t. You really can pick targets like a specific large building and have a decent chance of directly hitting it if you fire 2-3 missiles with that accuracy. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/47 "2020-01-08T07:41:44Z")
Iran clearly doesn’t want a full-scale war. My guess is Trump doesn’t either but who can say for sure? There will be probably be a limited retaliation by the US on some Iranian military targets and after that my guess is both sides will de-escalate and stick to fighting each other behind the scenes like they have been doing for years. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/48 "2020-01-08T12:49:37Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > This. The BMs would have been picked up by satellite almost immediately and the warning would have been transmitted to the troops in danger by NORAD…_take cover you guys ,quickly_. I am pretty sure the North American Aerospace Defense Command doesn’t cover the Middle East. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/49 "2020-01-08T12:51:28Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > Iran clearly doesn’t want a full-scale war. My guess is Trump doesn’t either but who can say for sure? There will be probably be a limited retaliation by the US on some Iranian military targets and after that my guess is both sides will de-escalate and stick to fighting each other behind the scenes like they have been doing for years. I’m sure Iran doesn’t want a war. Why? Because they’re sane. Does trump want a war? Yes, if it will 1) derail this impeachment nonsense, and/or 2) get him reelected. Or maybe he thinks that if he takes us to the very brink of war and then stops it, \*that \*will 1) derail this impeachment nonsense, and/or 2) get him reelected. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/50 "2020-01-08T13:27:58Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > You do agree, don’t you, that it takes two to tango? > > Or is it your contention that poor, misunderstood, innocent Iran can kill as many people as it wants, in any way that it wants, and yet not bear any responsibility? Did you just admit that Donald Trump has some of the responsibility? That he owns some of this? That as you just said, “It takes two to tango.” Would you like to discuss the percentage of blame that goes to Iran and the percentage of blame that goes to Trump? Is it 50/50 or something else? ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/51 "2020-01-08T13:45:48Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > News is reporting that all 170 aboard that Boeing 737 are dead. Tragic as it may be, this may be a good opportunity to end the conflict and nip it in the bud. Trump can send his condolences to Iran, the Iranian government can focus on the crash and investigation, the media in Iran and West can focus on the crash instead, and a week or two later, the war doesn’t have to pick up where it left off. This and they had 50 + crushed to death at the Soleimani funeral. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/52 "2020-01-08T14:16:49Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Does trump want a war? Yes, if it will 1) derail this impeachment nonsense, and/or 2) get him reelected. > > Or maybe he thinks that if he takes us to the very brink of war and then stops it, \*that \*will 1) derail this impeachment nonsense, and/or 2) get him reelected. In any case, everything Trump does is purely about image. That will be his only consideration: what kind of act he can put on. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/53 "2020-01-08T14:26:46Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I am pretty sure the North American Aerospace Defense Command doesn’t cover the Middle East. Actually, NORAD is responsible for the detection of Ballistic missiles all over the planet and then assessing whether they are a threat to North America or US and Allied Units world wide. Using [US Satellites.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Support_Program) They did it [in the Gulf Wa](https://books.google.com.pk/books?id=F6hNlj_W2x0C&pg=PA145&lpg=PA145&dq=NORAD+gulf+war&source=bl&ots=Jom4gz0kpC&sig=ACfU3U0H5w-sCkB9YN534tlxLfxCg1j_tw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjQps-QmvTmAhWQgVwKHQrzDp4Q6AEwCnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=NORAD%20gulf%20war&f=false)r. [A live example](https://www.kktv.com/video?vid=492655821). ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/54 "2020-01-08T14:28:42Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > This and they had 50 + crushed to death at the Soleimani funeral. And an earthquake at their nuclear power plant today. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/55 "2020-01-08T14:35:46Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m sure Iran doesn’t want a war. Why? Because they’re sane. > > Does trump want a war? Yes, if it will 1) derail this impeachment nonsense, and/or 2) get him reelected. If 2), your entire country is insane, not just Trump. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/56 "2020-01-08T14:41:39Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > If 2), your entire country is insane, not just Trump. ~63 million as of the last count. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/57 "2020-01-08T14:54:08Z")
Was nice to wake up and discover the world was not on fire. Thanks Trump. For not over reacting. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/58 "2020-01-08T14:54:43Z")
Why doesn’t Trump just build a wall all around Iran? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/59 "2020-01-08T15:07:56Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > Iran clearly doesn’t want a full-scale war. My guess is Trump doesn’t either but who can say for sure? There will be probably be a limited retaliation by the US on some Iranian military targets and after that my guess is both sides will de-escalate and stick to fighting each other behind the scenes like they have been doing for years. This. This Gulf War 3 thread is big bag of hyperbole. Iran probably went over the line with the attack on the embassy. Trump probably went over the line with the killing of Qasem Soleimani. Iran retaliated by destroying a helo, a tent and damaging a runway. Cooler heads will prevail and we’ll continue being advisories. I know many wanted Trump to get us into a war (one side so they could have one, the other so they could have another reason to hate Trump) but it isn’t going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100/60 "2020-01-08T15:10:45Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Why doesn’t Trump just build a wall all around Iran? :smack: Pakistan hasn’t agreed to pay for it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-war-3-thread/846100.md?page=4)