Originally posted by: jpeyton
Originally posted by: arsbanned
Mmmm, no. It's not all roses if the U.S. does not attack.
It's an untenable situation either way.
You're right, they might still build nukes. But there is a difference between them "maybe" building a nuke (as of which there is no hard proof of), or them definitely building a nuke (which they would do as a response to unprovoked military attack).
Hypothetically,
if both paths lead to them acquiring nuclear weapons, the path of non-agression would be much more beneficial for the American people, don't you think?
First, I do not see them opening their doors to inspectors, at least not fully or in good faith, which is the same thing. Two, the recent statements from their President are worrisome; far too many incendiary remarks to be ignored or treated as meaningless hyperbole.
Lastly, there is a difference between striking their nuclear facilities and invasion. The latter does not make sense, and I say this as someone who supports our efforts in Iraq. <Flame suit on.> The Iranians are a very intelligent and independent people. It is no surprise then that the country has a latent reform movement, based in the universities, that cannot stand the mullahs. At the very least, this movement deserves public support, so that it can gather steam. The situation in Iraq will improve measurably once the true reformers get rid of the mullahs.
Of course, there is the first option of airstrikes, but only Israel and the United States are capable of pulling anything off. And even then...the Iranians have prepared for it. They won't be caught with their pants down they way the Iraqis were in the 1980s. Not an easy decision to make.
Oh, and Iran will try to build a nuclear weapon regardless of whether we attack or not. Our existence on the world stage is enough. If you're going to attack another country, you do so when they do NOT have nuclear weapons. Ergo, North Korea escapes much deserved hell because they are likely to pop a nuclear weapon at a neighboring country, or attacking forces. Though, for humanitarian reasons, N. Korea is arguably the first on the list of countries that need urgent regime change.