How could we attack Iran?

Question

Seriously how could this be accomplished without it turning into another Iraq, though probably worse. Our troops are doing triple deployments. Would everyone support the draft? Should we just give Blackwater more money to recruit a whole mercanary army from around the world? We of course dont have that money so we would have to borrow more. Maybe we should raise taxes so we can pay for it instead of our children. Maybe we should just bomb and bomb and bomb them until they behave. Of course terrorists will stay away because its not like a war torn unoccupied country is ripe with angry youth that just need a direction.
So tell me, logically how could it be accomplished? Give me examples I could think about. Enlighten me.
Please dont rant about me being a commie or left wing nut. That helps no one. I am looking for opposing thought out arguments that may help sway my way of thinking on this issue.

Again, if we only use air power it would become a a breeding ground for terrorists. Iran would probably openly train and supply them in an attempt to strike back. We have not been able to keep them out of Iraq and we have ground forces there. If israel got involved what do you think those countries that already have conflicts with them would do? It would indeed become WW3. Blackwater currently has almost as many employees in Iraq as we have soldiers. If they are paid to handle combat that would truely make them mercanaries. We could not find nuclear WEAPON facilities. In fact the recent reports say they do not have them. So by bombing their nuclear facilities you take their power, interupt thier water and sanitary facilities. Again turning an Iranian populace against the west. In effect helping terrorist recruiting.

As far as supporting opposing groups for change. We did that by supporting Iraq. That did not turn out so well.

I do not support military conflict with Iran. I am against it. I am merely trying to get someone to tell me how it could be done for those who do. I dont believe it can be done without seriously thtreatening the world and America by doing so. I could be wrong. I am hoping someone could tell me how.

Answer 1

Bombing does not in and of itself win a war - you need boots on the ground eventually; to secure the country or you will loose any peceived politcal gains...so you can rule out bombing alone.

It would be a horrific poliitcal mistake to turn a US lead military invasion of a sovereign nation over to a private mercenary army. The outcome would be uncertain, the corruption rampant and the political damage to our foreign policy standing in the world incorrectable....so we should unequivocally rule that out.

In order to invade, secure and occupy a nation the size of Iran (it's population is 6 time larger that Iraq) we would need an military 6 times large as the one we have now. Given economies of scale (downward when combining expenses) we would need to increase the military supplmental spending from 160 billion per year to 640 billion per year during the war and down to about 220 billion per year to maintain an occupational force. Combined with the 660 billion standing pentagon budget that would be a minimum annual expenditure of about 860 billion for the first year alone.

The Federal tax base is about 1.4 trillion per year. That would double when coupled with the above expenses. We can't borrow that much in a single year. Last year Treasury sales ccounted for about 40% of US Debt, the rest was printed paper (why the dollar has tanked this year), so if we were to tax ourselves to come up with the shortfall we'd each have to pay t least 18% more in taxes than we do now, and that would only cover the borrowing shortfall.

The bottom line, we can't afford to invade Iran and the world won't be with us if we do.

China, Japan and the EU will pull back on purchase of US debt, OPEC will start pegging oil prices to Euro'sbecause the dollar will sink further and we'll be high and dry with having to pay for Saudi oil Euro's we don't have.

Bottom line number two: We be nut's to think about invading Iran when Iraq is still a political quagmire and the fighting is escalting in Afghanistan.....and 15% and rising of the daily federal expenditure is paying off the current debt.

Answer 2

There is a key difference. Iran is not as weak as Iraq was when we invaded in 2003. There is a big possibility that American losses in such an attack, while probably not devastating, would definitely be embarrassing to the Bush administration.

Answer 3

Attack the leadership by supporting groups that desire change. Many of the young people in Iran hate the current regime. They want freedom and everything that comes with western culture. Attacking militarily will do nothing but send us into another high cost war with no results.

Answer 4

Airstrikes and cruise missiles on suspected nuclear facilities after neutralizing the Integrated Air Defense System the Russians sold them.

There would be NO ground war...

Answer 5

"Another attack would be one too many & surely cause World War 3, as each nation has a right to self defence if some other nation attacks it without following international law. Attacking sovereign nations to satisfy one's whims & fantasies is a huge crime. Only psychopaths would destroy human life for no justifiable reason."

Answer 6

We need to attack Iran despite any and all costs if they remain to be a major threat in the region. Blackwater are not mercenaries, they're private security forces for important political figures. I agree with you that our military is stretched but we can not simply allow Iran to continue the way it is. It would take a blind man not to see the threat that Iran posses.

Answer 7

I personally don't think US is going to attack Iran, but its more likely Israel will be the first to attack. I might be wrong. It remains to be seen and keep in mind God is in control.

Answer 8

NO!!!! We need to clean up the horrible mess we have made in Iraq.

Answer 9

Well all we would really have to do is destroy them from the skies.