Panetta: Iran is just months away from a nuke - a red line for US and Israel

[sledge]

Panetta: Iran is just months away from a nuke - a red line for US and Israel

As I said in another post.  That entire region is a powder keg.  When it blows we're going to feel it.  I wish I didn't live so close to a nuke power plant.  Even a power problem with the grid puts those plants into backup measures which have proven to be less than reliable.  My only saving grace is that the wind generally blows offshore here.  Just not here lately.     


http://www.debka.com/article/21585/

[sledge]

Just 24 hours after US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told CBS that Iran could build a nuclear bomb in a year or less, Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint US Chiefs of Staff issued a warning: "Iran is playing a dangerous game that could ensnare the Middle East, the Middle East and others into conflict and a renewed arms race."

"We are examining a range of options," said the US general. "Don't push it," he warned Iran.

In the space of 24 hours, America's two top security figures have referred to war with Iran as a realistic and imminent possibility.

 "My biggest worry is they (the Iranians) will miscalculate our resolve. Any miscalculation could mean that we are drawn into conflict, and that would be a tragedy for the region and the world."

Top US general: Iran's dangerous game could draw Mid East and US into conflict

http://www.debka.com/article/21587/

[Deathstyle]

I dont think they'll open that can of worms until after the election.

[sledge]

I dont think they'll open that can of worms until after the election.

Possibly not, unless they think they need a war to win the election or postpone it.  But they are taking a more hard line approach.  Detention laws are now in place in the U.S. even though two four star generals took an oped ad out in the NY Times advising against it.

Are you guys seeing the big picture and how serious this whole situation is?

China has already stated they are willing to go into WWIII to protect Iran.  They would probably also make a move on Taiwan.

Russia could get involved at that point.  They've already drawn a red line on Syria that they will defend that nation against any aggressor.  Syria has already threatened Turkey, Israel and Jordan with missile attacks if any move is made against it or Iran.   

Do you think if China goes at it with the U.S., that North Korea wouldn't move against South Korea at this point in time?

I still think there is a high probability this whole situation is coming to a head and that several different nations are pushing for it because of their own reasons.

   

 

[Alex1992]

Much like the assassination of Arch duke Ferdinand and Hitler invading Poland all it needs is a spark to light that barrel of gunpowder [img]http://bestsmileys.com/ar

[JohnyMac]

Two things Sledge:

1) A potential partner just came back from Taiwan. I asked him what are the Taiwanese people
    thinking concerning China's saber rattling. His responce was that they are not to worried.
    They feel they will be treated like Hong Kong has been treated post Great Britain leaving if they
    are annexed by China.

2) Received an e-mail from a friend in S. Vietnam. He told me that his friends are worried
    about China's saber rattling. They do not believe that the US is strong enough to keep China in
    check.

Interesting points of view.
 

[WhiskeyJack]

Type 98s for every one.  [img]http://bestsmileys.com/ar

[CrystalHunter1989]

Two things Sledge:

1) A potential partner just came back from Taiwan. I asked him what are the Taiwanese people
    thinking concerning China's saber rattling. His responce was that they are not to worried.
    They feel they will be treated like Hong Kong has been treated post Great Britain leaving if they
    are annexed by China.

2) Received an e-mail from a friend in S. Vietnam. He told me that his friends are worried
    about China's saber rattling. They do not believe that the US is strong enough to keep China in
    check.

Interesting points of view.

There's still such a thing as South Vietnam or was that a geographic reference?

About Iran. Kennedy took a hard stance with the Soviets in 1962. His attitude was "I don't care what mistakes I've made with Cuba in the past or what you think about our foreign policy, this ends here, now, or else." He didn't go around bowing to foreign leaders or apologizing for America's failures. He wasn't a saint, but he grew a pair when he needed one.

Iran just might be crazy enough to see how long we can stare without blinking.

[JohnyMac]

Crystal wrote:
There's still such a thing as South Vietnam or was that a geographic reference?

Part of the country Crystal.

My friend lives just out side of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City for you young folks). He is a former English teacher who turned guide in 2003. I hired him in October '04 to be our guide while "in country."

The government was going to transfer him to the Mekong Delta area to teach English and he said no and quit. Started guiding folks on the side to make ends meet. Now he is a licenced guide and has a half dozen or so guides working for him. He is a great guy and has a lovely family.

 

[Rebelac7]

Almost time to dig up my crate of 91/30's [img]http://www.smileydesign.n

[RS762]

The Iran situation has me real worried not gonna lie.

[Kentactic]

I heard iran being nuclear dosent mean much because they are far off from technology to deliver it at any great distances. long story short they could nuke themselves if they wanted to but thats about it.

[Ghost]

I heard iran being nuclear dosent mean much because they are far off from technology to deliver it at any great distances. long story short they could nuke themselves if they wanted to but thats about it.

They have N.Korean missile technology. Now if they have the ability to make a nuclear weapon that can be fired by their missiles, I have no idea, and I think the North Koreans themselves are still working on that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahab-3 Like that one.

[RS762]

I heard iran being nuclear dosent mean much because they are far off from technology to deliver it at any great distances. long story short they could nuke themselves if they wanted to but thats about it.

They have N.Korean missile technology. Now if they have the ability to make a nuclear weapon that can be fired by their missiles, I have no idea, and I think the North Koreans themselves are still working on that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahab-3 Like that one.

lol
do you have any idea how hard it is to make a nuclear weapon that can fit in a mid-range ballistic missile?
Iran is at least 5-6 years away from being anywhere near being able to do that.

[Ghost]

I heard iran being nuclear dosent mean much because they are far off from technology to deliver it at any great distances. long story short they could nuke themselves if they wanted to but thats about it.

They have N.Korean missile technology. Now if they have the ability to make a nuclear weapon that can be fired by their missiles, I have no idea, and I think the North Koreans themselves are still working on that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahab-3 Like that one.

lol
do you have any idea how hard it is to make a nuclear weapon that can fit in a mid-range ballistic missile?
Iran is at least 5-6 years away from being anywhere near being able to do that.

Did you even read what I said? [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

[Deathstyle]

Maybe they could try a suicide run with a surplus B-28 Stratofortress.  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[Ghost]

 


What I wouldn't like, is if the Chinese/Russians decided to give them a little help. A dedicated EMP device would do far more damage than just a single nuclear weapon. And they wouldn't need an ICBM for that. All they would need is to bring it here, get it up at whatever altitude, and then bam, SHTF, for the majority of us.

[RS762]

Man you're right Frosty, i skipped right over that one.
Im a dumbass.  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at