US Perspective on the Iran - Israel / US War

[RescueRanger]

Yep , the way situation is developing it's time for GCC to take a clear stance....hubris and bravado aside , Iran is extremely vulnerable at this stage.

It's not just that, be it a peaceful resolution or whatever, the GCC need to learn to go beyond copy and paste statements... The whole world can see them for the frauds they are when they post the same regurgitated comments.

The region needs stability, but at what cost?

 

[mythbuster]

It's not just that, be it a peaceful resolution or whatever, the GCC need to learn to go beyond copy and paste statements... The whole world can see them for the frauds they are when they post the same regurgitated comments.

The region needs stability, but at what cost?

To be devil's advocate , they are between a rock and a hard place. . what do you think what options they have?

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Striking Iranian coastal mech brigades is something you’d do if you’re preparing for ground operations. Interesting target

Think I may have mentioned that yesterday. This has all the earmarks of current approach to preparing for a landing.

The question though is where? The three islands in the Strait currently receiving the most attention could be a diversion. Personally, I've ruled Kharg out simply due to the distance unless CENTCOM has an alternate route(s) planned out. With no Iranian tankers being allowed to leave, no need to go for Kharg. This is being aimed to take control of the Strait by force.

And yes, as Mythbuster has already stated, there will be casualties.

 

[Ali_Baba]

Let's hope so. But I will be honest, the diplomatic window is closing fast. People are underplaying the military hardware that is now parked up and being used.

Last night 300 aircraft were used by USAF, this doesn't include any aircraft allied nations had in the skies...

This a battle of will.

The USA has shown its best hand already - there is nothing new in the USA's strategy and the outcome from USA's action will be no different from the first time and second time.

Iran is taking big blows(massive blows), but it seems they are happy to absorb those blows because they know the clock is ticking on both the USA miliary depth of resources and the overall global economy.

What the Americans are trying to do, is what the Nazi's tried during "The Battle of the Bulge", ie they tried to get to the oil before the clock ran out. The Nazi's failed( cool film if you have not already seen it -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge_(1965_film) )The USA is trying to get Iranian surrender before their clock runs out. I don't think they realize how p*g headed Iranians can be on a point of principle, let alone their rights - their entire culture currently is based around resistance and sacrifice.

This Battle for Hormuz may well be the last battle of the war, where the USA tries tries to recover some "honor" from its strategic defeat in this war. Maybe they can convince themselves, it was worth it to "re-open" the Straits ( that were already open before the war starts ) if they are successful. The world will of course judge this war differently.

Yes, the USA armed forces are mighty, and yes a lot of assets are lined up but are they anymore than during the main war? Materially, what will change this time other than performing war crimes of hitting power stations and water plants? There is not much else for the USA to do.

imho of course..

AND .. The clock is ticking...

 

[RescueRanger]

To be devil's advocate , they are between a rock and a hard place. . what do you think what options they have?

Well at present Iran has made it perfectly clear:
1. They reserve the right to strike gulf nations hosting US bases
2. They wish to exert control over the SOH
3. They are not in the mood to re-open negotiations, in fact one of the most prominent and influential clerics inside Iran [Alireza Arafi] has stated pretty much this - no negotiations.

Iran will likely want to drag this out for the US to hurt them economically, but its difficult to see if this strategy will pay off - the winds are shifting and whilst the strategic needle still hasn't moved in favor of Washington, on the diplomatic front seems Washington has secured quite a few W's - this is evident from the fiery speeches made by the UK/France and German representatives to the UNSC 4 days ago.

Iran still has trump cards (pardon the pun) the Bab-el-Mandeb being one and their partners in Iraq and Lebanon being the other. Although seems they may end up losing their support base inside Iraq (watch this space).

There are renewed whispers about the US taking an Island or two - this may or may not happen, too early to tell. One thing is clear; the US have shifted their target selection from their previous jaunt into the region.

 

[F-22Raptor]

You should be mentally prepared to take some casualties.

I was in high school during the worst years of the Iraq war and sectarian violence. Yeah it’s more personal these days with FPVs, but casualties are a part of war. If we’re too afraid to use ground forces because we’re afraid of FPV videos then we shouldn’t field an Army or Marine Corps.

Its an all volunteer force, an they all know what they signed up for when called upon.

 

[RescueRanger]

This a battle of will.

The USA has shown its best hand already

Except it REALLY HASNT... If you think this was the USA going all in... I am sorry but that's just incorrect.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Yes, the USA armed forces are mighty, and yes alot of assets are lined up but anymore than during the main war? Materially, what will change this time other than performing war crimes of hitting power stations and water plants? There is not much else for the USA to do.

If power and water desalinization plants are able to serve a military purpose, then they are legitimate military targets.

 

[VCheng]

Except it REALLY HASNT... If you think this was the USA going all in... I am sorry but that's just incorrect.

Mistaking restraint for a lack of capability is a grave mistake.

 

[mythbuster]

This a battle of will.

The USA has shown its best hand already - there is nothing new in the USA's strategy and the outcome from USA's action will be no different from the first time and second time.

Iran is taking big blows(massive blows), but it seems they are happy to absorb those blows because they know the clock is ticking on both the USA miliary depth of resources and the overall global economy.

What the Americans are trying to do, is what the Nazi's tried during "The Battle of the Bulge", ie they tried to get to the oil before the clock ran out. The Nazi's failed( cool film if you have not already seen it -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge_(1965_film) )The USA is trying to get Iranian surrender before their clock runs out. I don't think they realize how p*g headed Iranians can be on a point of principle, let alone their rights - their entire culture currently is based around resistance and sacrifice.

This Battle for Hormuz may well be the last battle of the war, where the USA tries tries to recover some "honor" from its strategic defeat in this war. Maybe they can convince themselves, it was worth it to "re-open" the Straits ( that were already open before the war starts ) if they are successful. The world will of course judge this war differently.

Yes, the USA armed forces are mighty, and yes a lot of assets are lined up but are they anymore than during the main war? Materially, what will change this time other than performing war crimes of hitting power stations and water plants? There is not much else for the USA to do.

imho of course..

Babaji , got to admire your tenacity and conviction without legs.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

I was in high school during the worst years of the Iraq war and sectarian violence. Yeah it’s more personal these days with FPVs, but casualties are a part of war. If we’re too afraid to use ground forces because we’re afraid of FPV videos then we shouldn’t field an Army or Marine Corps.

Its an all volunteer force, an they all know what they signed up for when called upon.

And when you were in HS, a lot of friends of mine were there for a 2nd time. They didn't believe me the first time.

 

[Ali_Baba]

Think I may have mentioned that yesterday. This has all the earmarks of current approach to preparing for a landing.

The question though is where? The three islands in the Strait currently receiving the most attention could be a diversion. Personally, I've ruled Kharg out simply due to the distance unless CENTCOM has an alternate route(s) planned out. With no Iranian tankers being allowed to leave, no need to go for Kharg. This is being aimed to take control of the Strait by force.

And yes, as Mythbuster has already stated, there will be casualties.

The question is not if you can do a successful landing on Day #1 of the war, the question is can you hold it and are you prepared for the casualties that will incur in both the taking and the ongoing cost of keeping it. And - will the land give you the political leverage you think it can, to get the outcomes you need? The Iranians can wait out any occupation, because the clock is on their side and the Americans will have to leave eventually.

This all smacks of the Vietnam war, where they said if they took the next bridge, the next village then the war will be over. We know that is not it turned out, nor how this will turn out.

Any invasion attempt is a last ditch desperate attempt to recover a small pyrrhic victory at great strategic loss...

 

[Ali_Baba]

Except it REALLY HASNT... If you think this was the USA going all in... I am sorry but that's just incorrect.

Time will tell. Does the USA have anything new up its sleeve, or is it more of the same at a larger scale?

 

[VCheng]

We know that is not it turned out, nor how this will turn out.

No, we do NOT know how this will turn out. As you said, only time will tell.

 

[RescueRanger]

Time will tell. Does the USA have anything new up its sleeve, or is it more of the same at a larger scale?

Ah yes Grandfather time... The left refuge of the invalid.