Iran Nukes

[phil_in_cs]

Iran knows it is in trouble because of the sanctions that will be imposed upon them. I think that they would block the strait to get back at us. If they block the strait even for a short time would drive gas prices up and further hurt the global economy and recovery. This is just my opinion of course.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

I think that if they attempt to block the Straights, everyone and their brother that would like like see woe, despair, and agony rain down upon Iran will commence to rain woe, despair, and agony down upon Iran. Iran's air defenses are better than Iraq's were - they might even see something on radar before they are destroyed. Recall a couple years ago when Israel hit a Syrian site way inland on the Iraqi border, that was guarded by just installed state of the art Russian anti aircraft batteries, and the first the Syrians knew of the attack was when they heard the bombs going off? Iran has 10x as much of the same ineffective radar.

I think Iran understands this. They are seeking a buy off like NK has gotten many times. If what they do drives up the price of oil, well gosh, that's more money in Iran's pocket anyway.

My $0.26, the inflation adjusted rate.

[DarkAxel]

Iran knows it is in trouble because of the sanctions that will be imposed upon them. I think that they would block the strait to get back at us. If they block the strait even for a short time would drive gas prices up and further hurt the global economy and recovery. This is just my opinion of course.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

It's a gamble on Iran's part. a lot of shipping other than oil goes through those straits, some of it drinking water and food. If they want to piss off the entire region, closing the strait would be the way to do it.

[kcor_77]

I guess I'm trying to figure out there angle on this. What can they gain from blocking the strait? They will not make any more friends by doing this and lose a few allies if they do.

Most of that area's food is imported, I have been in the middle east enough to know this. I could only try to picture what is going on in the other countries that might have all of there imports and exports cut off.

Like DarkAxle said

If they want to piss off the entire region, closing the strait would be the way to do it.

[DarkAxel]

Honestly, just by making the threat, Iran destabilized the region and affected gas prices.

In essence, it could be a grand middle finger to the world over the sanctions. Iran threatens to shut down the strait. Investors the world over get nervous. Oil prices go up and national economies dependent on petroleum drop a little. They hurt the rest of the world, and all they did was a few military tests and naval exercises and made some threats. They really haven't DONE anything to piss off neighbors, yet. At least overtly.

[RickOShea]

I guess I'm trying to figure out there angle on this. What can they gain from blocking the strait? They will not make any more friends by doing this and lose a few allies if they do.

The 12th Imam isn't phrophesied to return until there is war and great strife. Iran (or atleast the ones running the show over there) have said over and over again that it is their goal to bring about that prophecy.

[kcor_77]

I guess I'm trying to figure out there angle on this. What can they gain from blocking the strait? They will not make any more friends by doing this and lose a few allies if they do.

The 12th Imam isn't phrophesied to return until there is war and great strife. Iran (or atleast the ones running the show over there) have said over and over again that it is their goal to bring about that prophecy.

So your saying they are building a doomsday day device to make sure it happens.

Honestly, just by making the threat, Iran destabilized the region and affected gas prices.

In essence, it could be a grand middle finger to the world over the sanctions. Iran threatens to shut down the strait. Investors the world over get nervous. Oil prices go up and national economies dependent on petroleum drop a little. They hurt the rest of the world, and all they did was a few military tests and naval exercises and made some threats. They really haven't DONE anything to piss off neighbors, yet. At least overtly.

Your right about hurting the rest of the world. I can see where this would benefit them a lot in the short term. In the long run wouldn't Iran and the people suffer more from this type of bluffing by sending there customers somewhere else?

[RickOShea]

I guess I'm trying to figure out there angle on this. What can they gain from blocking the strait? They will not make any more friends by doing this and lose a few allies if they do.

The 12th Imam isn't phrophesied to return until there is war and great strife. Iran (or atleast the ones running the show over there) have said over and over again that it is their goal to bring about that prophecy.

So your saying they are building a doomsday day device to make sure it happens.

Nope, I'm saying that some in their government are prepared to do whatever it takes, even if it means the total destruction of their country and everyone in it, to bring about the prophecy.

[kcor_77]

I can't comment about the prophecy thing as really i just don't understand it. I also would break the rules by talking about it. Anyway thanks for your opinions on this off to do some research on this.

[Horatio_Tyllis]

China and Russia Denounce US Dollar http://www.itmtrading.com/blog/2010/11/ ... us-dollar/

Are Russia and China ready to play a new Great Game? http://hotair.com/greenroom/archives/20 ... reat-game/

Russia and China warn America against Iran strike as tensions rise ahead of damning atomic agency report http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -rise.html

Russia and NATO are Building Up Forces Off the Coast of Syria http://uscitizens-united.com/opinion-ne ... -syri.html

[J.C.]

China and Russia Denounce US Dollar http://www.itmtrading.com/blog/2010/11/ ... us-dollar/

Uhm, that is from 2010.

[angelofwar]

And they strike again...what makes Iran think these guys are going to give up???

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16501566

[phil_in_cs]

And they strike again...what makes Iran think these guys are going to give up???

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16501566

The assassination campaign has been on going for years, and the idea that it is happening deep inside Iran shows that whomever is doing this has deeply penetrated Iran on a physical basis, not just electronically or via drones and satellite photos.

[phil_in_cs]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340 ... 25,00.html

Longer story from an Israeli paper that has more back story about this and the previous assassinations.

von Clausewitz said word to the effect that the difference between war and politics was the rate at which people are getting killed. So far, the rate is low, but people are getting killed in this war already. All sides are playing for keeps here.

[kcor_77]

Authoritarian allies President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela had a serious diplomatic meeting in Caracas on Monday, but they lightened up the conversation with jokes about having a "big atomic bomb" at their disposal.

The fiercely anti-American autocrats, who say they are united against "Yankee imperialism," also mocked U.S. worries about the strengthening relationship between their two countries.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/279600/ ... c-bomb.htm

[pirro]

So the gov of israel got the blame on this one. Isnt this attack the same as a declaration of war?.

Saludos.

[phil_in_cs]

So the gov of israel got the blame on this one. Isnt this attack the same as a declaration of war?.

Saludos.

Been going on for years. Declaring wars is so 20th century, anyway.

[Collie of Doom]

I guess I'm trying to figure out there angle on this. What can they gain from blocking the strait? They will not make any more friends by doing this and lose a few allies if they do.

The 12th Imam isn't phrophesied to return until there is war and great strife. Iran (or atleast the ones running the show over there) have said over and over again that it is their goal to bring about that prophecy.

However, there's been no shortage of war and strife in the sunny Middle East since the 12th Iman, Peace Be Upon Him or What Have You, went into occultation. Least of all directly after that storied event.

[doitnstyle1]

I don't know about the veracity of the source but:

http://m.yahoo.com/w/news_asia/terroris ... lang=en-in

Terrorists' cyber super-weapon sparks doomsday fear
By Indo Asian News Service | IANS - Tue, Dec 6, 2011


London, Dec 6 (IANS) A computer virus which could spark a global doomsday may have fallen into terrorists' hands, The Sun reported Tuesday.

Stuxnet, dubbed the world's first cyber super-weapon, is thought to have been used to cripple Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's nuclear programme.

But now it is feared Iranians have discovered the deadly bug and are planning revenge attacks using terror networks, the newspaper said citing scientists.

The 'worm' virus can cripple computers running everything from traffic lights to the electricity grid. It can even stop water flowing to taps.

Virus expert Ralph Langner - who recently warned US leaders about the threat - said: 'There's now no way we can stop the proliferation of cyber-weapons.'

'Rogue states and terrorists will soon be able to use them.'

[raptor]

I am not sure that exact virus is as big of a threat as they say it is. However, honestly the latest pandemic I do fear is a computer virus(es) that attacks infrastructure like traffic lights, electrical grids, communication networks and financial institutions.

[phil_in_cs]

Stuxnet has been public since it was released. Takes very smart boys to operate, and importantly, was designed to do specific things to specific equipment. There are much more adaptable computer viruses out there for more generalized mayhem.

[angelofwar]

Two more carrier groups en-route...this could get interesting...

I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to perform my job, and knock these guys down in the dirt...

[RickOShea]

Two more carrier groups en-route...this could get interesting...

I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to perform my job, and knock these guys down in the dirt...

Chuckie and Abe are going to replace Johnny Reb:

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/220613.html

[Big and Daft]

The Sun reported Tuesday.

There's your problem.

The Sun is a tabloid and not the most reliable of sources, they like to enhance the truth to sell more papers.
I wouldn't trust any information they were publishing unless I saw it from a different source.

[Czechnology]

The Sun reported Tuesday.

There's your problem.

The Sun is a tabloid and not the most reliable of sources, they like to enhance the truth to sell more papers.
I wouldn't trust any information they were publishing unless I saw it from a different source.

No wonder the information they're reporting as "ZOMG DANGEROUS NEW DEVELOPMENTS" is year+ old public information. Of course Iranians discovered it, their entire system was shut down by it. That's like shooting someone on national television and then reporting a year later that the person you shot has "Discovered new projectile weapon technology!".