QUOTE
We'd like to invade Iran
I really don't think the US wants to invade Iran. I used too, but doing some research on the Iranian Military has led me to believe that an Iranian war would cost twice as much and probably sustain 4 times the casualites.
Their army is big, well trained, well equiped, and well fed. They may lack technical superiority but the US will never bring out their super weapons (starwars) unless it's a massive world war. After Airstrikes you still need to secure land with ground divisions, and fighting Iranian armored corps and light infantry is not going to be a walk in the park.
They will fight and not surrender. The army is well disciplined. The Iraqi army had an elite guard but the majority of the force was levied soldiers, part timers who didn't want to be on the battle field. This is why so many waved white flags during the first gulf war.
The US must still consider it's position in the world in respect to Russia and China. Economically speaking china is actually winning. Who knows what they got going on in their miltary. I've read articles upon articles and everyone has a different view point. Some say it's large but ill equiped, others say it's technological systems could give the US a run for it's money etc...
The US is in a position, imo, that can't allow it to fight wars it can't easily win. The Iraq war ended in like 1 day. Guerilla fighitng continues but the old regime is toppled.
Major battles against Iran and countries like that would cost mega bucks and lots of lives. Unless the US is truely threatened, I mean an attack on soil or a verbal threat "we will attack you', I doubt it would spare with Iran.
This post has been edited by Jordan: 20 October 2006 - 04:09 PM