Could the Middle East be the 1914 Balkans of the 21st Century

Changing loyalities, revolutionary groups, growing tensions, and the new technology of war (nuclear weapons, drones, missile delivery systems, WMDs). What would happen if Iran decided that a nuclear strike was the order of business. Won't Israel strike back the same way? The US has reduced capabilities and a ideological president.

Could the Middle East be the 1914 Balkans of the 21st Century Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn

If only GW would not have lost his focus during the spring of 2003!

I'm not so sure we have reduced capabilities in the Nuclear scenario, since we could turn the just about anybody into a smoking cinder.

Human Nature has not changed one bit in 6000 years, there are still those that want what others have, and still those that want to kill others because they do not "believe" in the same God as they do.

We think there is something special about these "modern times" we live in, but there isn't. There is still just as much hatred among different factions as there ever was.

Yes, we now have the ability to kill more people more quickly. But that is about it. In years past, they Despots of the World still killed large numbers, it just took them a tad longer.

It is great to sit around and think about a Utopian World where everybody would get along. But like I said, Human Nature has not changed one bit.

Not nuclear of course but we do have reduced capabilites to prevent war. Our prestige has leaked away as has our resolve. We are neither feared nor respected in many parts of the world.

Don't you have some urinals to grade or is school still out?

Not nuclear of course but we do have reduced capabilites to prevent war. Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn

Good. We do not need to "prevent war" around the world. That is an impossible task anyway. Let the rag heads slaughter each other.

We only need to protect our own limited interests. We have more than enough military to do that. Stop spending so much on the DoD.

Our prestige has leaked away as has our resolve. Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn

No. We are simply smarter about what we can and cannot do. You cannot use the military to civilize religious savages. So, stop wasting money trying.

We are neither feared nor respected in many parts of the world. Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn

That has always been true and always will be true - both for us and every other world power. So why do you think now is any different?

I'm not so sure we have reduced capabilities in the Nuclear scenario, since we could turn the just about anybody into a smoking cinder.

Human Nature has not changed one bit in 6000 years, there are still those that want what others have, and still those that want to kill others because they do not "believe" in the same God as they do.

We think there is something special about these "modern times" we live in, but there isn't. There is still just as much hatred among different factions as there ever was.

Yes, we now have the ability to kill more people more quickly. But that is about it. In years past, they Despots of the World still killed large numbers, it just took them a tad longer.

It is great to sit around and think about a Utopian World where everybody would get along. But like I said, Human Nature has not changed one bit. Originally Posted by Jackie S

Good. We do not need to "prevent war" around the world. That is an impossible task anyway. Let the rag heads slaughter each other.

We only need to protect our own limited interests. We have more than enough military to do that. Stop spending so much on the DoD.


No. We are simply smarter about what we can and cannot do. You cannot use the military to civilize religious savages. So, stop wasting money trying.


That has always been true and always will be true - both for us and every other world power. So why do you think now is any different? Originally Posted by ExNYer

JD is becoming rare bird...a neocon Tea Turkey. Thank God.

OIL

No. We are simply smarter about what we can and cannot do. You cannot use the military to civilize religious savages. So, stop wasting money trying. Originally Posted by ExNYer

Ok, then how SHOULD we have responded to 9/11? Or should we have done nothing?

Changing loyalities, revolutionary groups, growing tensions, and the new technology of war (nuclear weapons, drones, missile delivery systems, WMDs). What would happen if Iran decided that a nuclear strike was the order of business. Won't Israel strike back the same way? The US has reduced capabilities and a ideological president. Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn

Reduced capabilities compared to what? There is no one and no place in the Middle East that we can't reach out and touch if need be.

And.....I guess Iran will have to obtain a nuclear weapon before it can decide that a nuclear strike is the order of business. And, yes....if Iran had such a weapon, and if Iran decided to utilize the weapon, Iran would be reduced to a broke-ass pile of rubble in about a half an hour and it wouldn't just be Israel that would be retaliating. It would be us. Which is exactly why Iran wouldn't utilize a nuclear weapon.....if they had a nuclear weapon.

our resident nuclear experts think a 3rd world country with nukes are as stupid as they are

Ok, then how SHOULD we have responded to 9/11? Or should we have done nothing? Originally Posted by lustylad

We should have invade Mexico you dumb fuck. They were about as responsible as Iraq. Plus Cancun is much nicer than Bagdad.

Oh and what would happen if JD finished his sex change...

Oh and what would happen if JD finished his sex change... Originally Posted by WTF

is jd going into hiding or career change?

News reports say that al qaeda is gaining more control in Iraq every day.

Our decision to go into Iraq will probably end up going down as the biggest
blunder in modern history. Maybe as much of one as our underestimating
Hitler before WWII