2007-03-30 16:19:59 · 13 answers · asked by chingow 2 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Yes - the UK wouldn't have to send in ground troops.
2007-03-30 16:24:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. They would defeat the Iranian military in nearly all if not all open battles and occupy a few key cities, but the Iranian government will continue to rule the vast majority of the area and Britain simply does not have a large enough population for a true victory. Eventually, they would leave the cities and nothing would be accomplished. Look at it another way. The US is in the same boat in Iraq and there is no Iraqi opposition government and the US has a much larger population and spends more relative money on the military then does Great Britain - even if New Zealand, Australia, and Canada opted to join them.
2007-03-31 03:03:13 · answer #2 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No - the UK could not win over Iran on its own. It is obvious the UK could not even protect its sailors at sea from capture. The British Navy is not what it used to be either....and a sufficient naval blockade would be required for war with Iran. The British are ranked 28th in military size - Iran is ranked 8th in size by Wikipedia, based on military personnel. The UK may have a slight advantage on military technology, but it could be argued Iran is not far behind. This is because Iran buys military hardware from Russia and also develops its own, based on copies of Western technology.
Iran is a very rugged country, full of mountains and hiding areas. It is very difficult to wage a conventional war in this terrain, and in turn, is easy to defend. This is much different than Iraq where US tanks rolled at 65mph across flat desert and you can see the enemy for miles.
The other problem is that Iran is ready for oncomers, and would probably be very strong defense, especially on the border of Iraq - this is probably where the invasion would be launched from.
Also factor in the UK and their people do not like the war in Iraq, and are very vocal against USA in Iraq, and Blair does not have heavy support. The anti war bunch in UK wouldn't support it at all - even though they are being made a complete laughing stock in Iran right now.
The UK has lost its once dominance in maritime power and the rest of the military is probably not far behind. However, the UK should think about boosting military because it probably won't be long before they get into another fight in the Falklands....as soon as Argentina asserts its claim again.
2007-03-31 09:26:10 · answer #3 · answered by Redtic 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a largely hypothetical question because, since Britain (United Kingdom) is part of NATO, and if Iran were to (militarily) strike at Britain or British interests, then most of the rest of NATO countries would join together to support Britain and to take on Iran. So, there would never be an "all by itself" scenario for the Brits.
2007-03-30 23:42:10 · answer #4 · answered by Col. Kurtz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you consider the U.S. and The British to have won in Iraq. The problem is that while the Allies use the most sophisticated and modern equipment Iran does not. You may knock out their Navy, their Air Force and their Army, but the point is that the countries are going old school, hit and run, car bombs, snipers that kind of thing, The west cant compete against that. Just look at Northern Ireland, or Vietnam. We can win if they come out, fight and then surrender, but they dont, and they wont.
2007-03-31 03:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but Iran can't beat Britain without nukes either.
2007-04-03 01:14:15 · answer #6 · answered by ringolarry 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably but it would be long an difficult. Their very liberal leaning press along with the liberal majority of citizens would most likely not have the stomach for it. They would find fault in the reasons for going to war, how it was fought and how long it would last. Many would side with the Iranians for political and religious reasons (the UK has a very large Muslim population). Their leaders would be attacked, second guessed and hamstrung by Parliament (their Congress). Support and funding might not last long enough for them to be successful...wait this sounds vaguely familiar.
2007-03-30 23:39:57 · answer #7 · answered by John B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the words "beat" and "nukes" trouble me and i really do not know what you mean and what they really mean.Britain will not be all by "itself" -- we already know they have a close pact with the USA. and other countries might join in -- but we are not there yet. as for Iran -- who knows what a despotic regime could and would take us. Their belief is far away from the western belief "live and let live"...what they want is in the unknown right now. hope it helps.
2007-03-30 23:37:05 · answer #8 · answered by s t 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they could, but I think they should consider nukes if Iran kidnaps their sailors.
2007-03-30 23:27:58 · answer #9 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No...and a good reason to have allies. Kemosabe in on his tail....
2007-04-01 14:41:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋