Is a war with Iran imminent ?

[Gromit]

You would think it would be foolhardy to engage in another war with Iraq and Afghanistan going so badly, but the signs are that the Whitehouse is now preparing for a conflict with Iran:

"Pentagon and CIA officers say they believe that the White House has begun a carefully calibrated programme of escalation that could lead to a military showdown with Iran."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/09/16/wiran116.xml&CMP=ILC-mostvie wedbox

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/09/18/wiran118.xml

Will America attack. Will the UK join in?

[4GS]

Our Forces are overstretched as it is now, we cannot afford another foolhardy war in the middle east, or anywhere else for that matter.

[China Doll]

I don't know.

Perhaps not if Rice stands her ground but that doesn't appear likely.

Makes no sense whatsoever. The troops are stretched. The current 'war on terror' is going oh so well and the whole think is PR nightmare.

Unless perhaps they want to loose the next election?

I still can't quite see it happening. But then I am looking at it with reason and I've been led to believe in the past that reason is not something the Republicans are fond of.

Are they short of money actually? War does tend to be good for money I hear.

I think that if were to join in with this war if it happens would possibly be the end of Brown. I'd say it'd be the end of Labour but we're still stuck in the political no mans land in this country at the moment.

[jake-the-peg]

I think you miss the point.

I don't think the UK or the US has a stomach for another war.

I think they are considering a remote strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, probably with cruise missiles.

Similar to the air strike against Lybia 20 years ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_El_Dora do_Canyon

[China Doll]

Ah.

Whoops.

You may be right.

Although... If America do that, it's still not going to lead to any kind of peacful teta a tete is it?

[jake-the-peg]

No it's not but Iran does not have delivery systems to hit either US or Israel in return right now.

I suspect a lot of the momentum for this is from the powerful US-Israeli lobby who do not want Iran to develop that capability.

Whether they do or not depends more on politics than power.

That big Eurofighter order from Saudi would probably dissapear if we were involved or even supported the US in this.

[China Doll]

Hadn't thought of the Israeli element to it must admit.

Makes more sense now if you add that in there.

I f ecking hate politics sometimes.

Cheers m'dear!

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, hopefully a war with Iran is imminent.
They are pushing the west too far again, just like Sadamm did.
All countries in the middle east need to understand that other civilised countries will not tolerate these 'mad' warlords who threaten freedom.
I hope the UK do support our allies and other countries do their bit too.
Regardless what the media says, i think we have enough troops/support to engage in another war.
Like someone above says though, i think they will just target the nuclear facilities...

[jake-the-peg]

And supporting Bush is worth �40 Billion and hundreds if not thousands of jobs over 20 years?

How much is that in income tax I wonder? Are you prepared to pay cash for your convictions

[Shadow Man]

As Churchill said........ "Give us the tools and we will finish the job"

I just hope that if their is a British involvemnet G Brown gives our troops the right tools and level of protection.

Personally I would favour a Naval strike or aerial bombardment. Leave the foot soldiers out of this one.

[jake-the-peg]

And are you prepared to pay higher taxation for it shadowman?

Or are you another one who thinks wars are free?

[MrBen5]

I will pay higher taxes if it means our soldiers get fully equipped.
In the long run we will end up paying less tax as the threat from the east will dimnish and so we wont need as much security and have to take extra precautions and have to wait longer at airports.
All of which take up time and time is money...

[Shadow Man]

I would happily pay more tax. If there's a job to be done, then it's worth doing well!!!!

[China Doll]

Is there a job worth doing?

Why would we be supportive of this war if that's the way it went?