tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post117509709145558335..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: This is News?George Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1175127188309554462007-03-28T21:13:00.000-04:002007-03-28T21:13:00.000-04:00"He claims that the U.S. is looking for a way to b..."He claims that the U.S. is looking for a way to bring Iran to its knees, at minimal cost."<BR/><BR/>It might be better to go after the revolutionary guard while leaving the military free to stage a coup. Given the infiltration exposed by the recent defections it would seem reasonable that there are also contacts being made with other disaffected individuals along those lines. This was done in Iraq before the invasion there.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09701008088467238503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1175119271747922982007-03-28T19:01:00.000-04:002007-03-28T19:01:00.000-04:00And then there's our old reliable ally Turkey:http...And then there's our old reliable ally Turkey:<BR/><BR/>http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/03/iran_refusing_offers_to_mediat.php<BR/><BR/>"Turkish military officials are petrified that they will be dragged, kicking and screaming, into a military fight on the US/UK side because of their NATO obligations"<BR/><BR/>If it wasn't so sad it would be funny.anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09701008088467238503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1175106092554608222007-03-28T15:21:00.000-04:002007-03-28T15:21:00.000-04:00Anon--Balad AB, our main air hub in Iraq, can hold...Anon--Balad AB, our main air hub in Iraq, can hold a lot of aircraft, but not the numbers we would need to strike Iran. We would prefer to use other bases in the region, including those in Oman and the UAE, which are much closer to Iranian targets. <BR/><BR/>The UAE's claims about not allowing ops against Iran from its soil are a little specious; our combined air ops center (CAOC) for the entire Middle East is located in the Emirates; additionally, we run U-2 and UAV missions out of that country. And if you don't think those platforms do collection against a certain, Farsi-speaking country, you are mistaken. <BR/><BR/>What's more, the UAE is well aware of what we do from their bases. Today's statement was made for political expediency. Don't look for them to kick us out anytime soon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1175103608468456542007-03-28T14:40:00.000-04:002007-03-28T14:40:00.000-04:00"Any attack against Iran would be preceded by a ma..."Any attack against Iran would be preceded by a major build-up of U.S. airpower in the region, although current basing issues could make that problematic."<BR/><BR/>Are there sufficient facilities for basing in Iraq? The Iranians sent armed men into Iraqi terrirtoy. Oughtn't Iraq be interested in defending it's soveriegnty? <BR/><BR/>Also ... will it be a NATO force?anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09701008088467238503noreply@blogger.com