[QUOTE=treis]
It’s unclear to me how Israel intends to attack Iran. It’s out of range of it’s fighter jets, meaning that any attack will requiring refueling. The problem is that this will have to occur with the permission of Iraq, Turkey, or Saudi Arabia. I can’t see any way that those countries will give that permission. Any ideas on how Israel would actually attack Iran?
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[QUOTE=Quartz]
Well, it is and it isn’t within range. If the planes fly at a high altitude, it’s well within range. Of course, flying at altitude means that they’ll be spotted very early. If they fly at very low level, they’ll escape Iranian radar but need to refuel.
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I thought that the F16i Sufa was designed especially for this purpose- isn’t the joke that the “i” stands for “Iran?” These planes should have no problem getting there and back undetected. Even if they need to be tanked on the way back, I assume that Israel can get tankers up without endangering any of the planes.
So you could logically see Iran attacking and trying to destroy Israels nuclear hoard. Israel is a real threat and is considering bombing them. What more reason do you need.?
[QUOTE=Magiver]
MAD only works when both parties are sane. Ahmadinejad believes the 12th Imam is getting ready to make an appearance and drop the hammer and that Iran is paving the way.
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That’s what I find the most worrying about him. He’s the exact equivalent of christian fundamentalists who believe that the second coming of Christ is imminent. One can hope that he’s not willing to help accelerate the process. He also believes that Iran is actually currently led by the guidance of said 12th Imam (actually he has been criticized by Iranian clerics for this theological assumption that the late Khomeyni was specifically rejecting).One reassuring fact is that he’s kept in check in large part by the guide and the conservative clerics, and can’t act on his own accord.
[QUOTE=clairobscur]
That’s what I find the most worrying about him. He’s the exact equivalent of christian fundamentalists who believe that the second coming of Christ is imminent. One can hope that he’s not willing to help accelerate the process. He also believes that Iran is actually currently led by the guidance of said 12th Imam (actually he has been criticized by Iranian clerics for this theological assumption that the late Khomeyni was specifically rejecting).One reassuring fact is that he’s kept in check in large part by the guide and the conservative clerics, and can’t act on his own accord.
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Hezbollah represents an army of religious zealots who will do the bidding of the person they believe best represents them. They are the brown shirts of this century. It only takes one articulate leader to rally them. Clerics can be removed in a single event designed to consolidate power. Look at Saddam Hussein and his rise to power. There’s a video of him calling his detractors forward and then trying them for treason.