tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post114470419991403231..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Strategic CalculusGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1144805753299603612006-04-11T21:35:00.000-04:002006-04-11T21:35:00.000-04:00As for the problem of "boots on the ground", if Ru...As for the problem of "boots on the ground", if Rummy gets his way, the boots currently tied up in [increasingly] strategically passe`, ungrateful countries (read: Germany, Japan, South Korea) will be redeployed to CONUS, and available to be forward-deployed where the action is, as it were.<BR/><BR/>And don't forget the redeployment of Trident II D-5's with conventional warheads, either.<BR/><BR/>The US and Israel can knock Iran on its ass whenever they want, IMHO...that is, if they have the political will to do it, and to [once again] be "in it for the long haul" as we did in Europe and Japan post-WWII.Wanderlusthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06552045133035246679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1144772985097578302006-04-11T12:29:00.000-04:002006-04-11T12:29:00.000-04:00Good analysis, except for one point: the Israelis ...Good analysis, except for one point: the Israelis do have F-15Is. It's their version of the F-15E Strike Eagle; the IAF bought 36 of the two-seat jets in the late 1990s. The F-15I is nicknamed "Lightning" by the Israelis; the F-16I is known as "Storm" by IAF pilots and ground crews.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1144769855812011332006-04-11T11:37:00.000-04:002006-04-11T11:37:00.000-04:00Its the F16I, not F15I. Israel also purchased 500 ...Its the F16I, not F15I. <BR/><BR/>Israel also purchased 500 bunker busters to go with the F16I. <BR/><BR/>Its a Hell of a Plane, built to exacting specs, designed solely to be able to strike Iran. <BR/><BR/>A serious, comprehensive analysis of the terrain and capabilities on both sides ( Iran and US ) shows that Iran is in deep, deep, deep doo-doo. <BR/><BR/>Iran has two huge terrain weaknesses, a major strategic flaw, its military is operationally crippled, and it has no logistical depth. <BR/><BR/>Contrary to most comments, the US does have a huge, unweakened, uncommitted conventional force whose strengths are suited to Iran's weaknesses.<BR/><BR/>The US can basically stand off and pound Iran while seizing key terrain at will. <BR/><BR/>The two unknowns are the extent of WMDs and attacks outside Iran. The use of either or both will have long-term backlash against Iran and and Islamofascism.Red Riverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15588346000824427518noreply@blogger.com