NationStates Jolt Archive

I do believe I've found the worst possible idea on how to deal with Iran. It would piss off Iran and many others, reinforce the bad image of the US, hurt the US and it's allies, and do little to effect Iran's ability to sponsor terrorism and it's nuclear program.

A Bold Proposal for Iran
July 20, 2006: Sometimes it pays to be bold. We should destroy the Iranian oil industry. By bombing all oil transportation facilities, pipelines, storage tanks, tanker trucks, refinery's etc. we can cripple the funding of numerous terrorist organizations, Hezbollah, Hama's, Sadr's militia, Syria, as well as make it more difficult for Iran to buy missiles and such from North Korea, China, and Russia.

It would remove Iran's threat that if we attack they will shut off the oil. Making the threat ridiculous and demonstrating that they are a single product state and without oil, and no other product that the world wants, they are nothing. Additionally, by declaring that we will destroy any attempts to repair the oil facilities, as long as the Mullacracy remains in charge, we can focus the Iranian's blame for the situation, on the Theocracy and their support of Terrorism.

This will also bring home to all the other oil producing countries like Venezuela, Libya, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, etc. that they are very vulnerable to the same tactic.

In addition, this will gain us time for the Iraqi's to stand on their own, and free up troops we would need if we have to go into Iran, North Korea or somewhere else.

Sure the price of gas will rise, but this will also demonstrate to the world that the United States is not in Iraq for the Oil, and the onus can be shifted on to the Democrats for not allowing more domestic production.

"It's not the control of the spice but the power to destroy the spice that is the real power."

It has recently been said that the nuclear production facilities in Iran are so deep that we can't reach them with conventional weapons. Perhaps so, but maybe we can starve those facilities of funds. Nuclear weapons are terribly expensive to build, and if Iran now needs all its money to repair vital civilian infrastructure, it may have to slow or stop its attempt to build an atomic bomb.

Finally, Iran is a state sponsor of Terrorists, it must be punished, and it must be seen to be punished. Iran's continued sponsorship of terror is a slap in everyones face, and it must be answered. --Karl R. Maier
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlead/articles/20060720.aspx

To be fair, I think that idea is marginally better than nuking the place, which has been suggested here before (although perhaps in a tongue-in-cheek manner, or perhaps not).

I say all western world pull out of the ME, and let them deal with their own problems. Then in 20 years or so, we'll go back to see who made it out alive.

Worst idea would be to cave in and roll over.

Best idea would be to go hard-core on Aheminehadhgged and pressure him from every angle, and if he still doesn't relent, use military force on him. USA-Israeli war.

To be fair, I think that idea is marginally better than nuking the place, which has been suggested here before (although perhaps in a tongue-in-cheek manner, or perhaps not).

What makes this worse than nuking Iran is that if we nuke it, at least we get rid of their nuclear program. Bombing the oil infrastructure leaves that in place and gives them the idea they might need to use it...

What makes this worse than nuking Iran is that if we nuke it, at least we get rid of their nuclear program. Bombing the oil infrastructure leaves that in place and gives them the idea they might need to use it...

Yup.

To be fair, I think that idea is marginally better than nuking the place, which has been suggested here before (although perhaps in a tongue-in-cheek manner, or perhaps not).

Well, it's rather idiotic really. I mean, China might not look too kindly upon Iran suddenly being cut off from supplying it with oil, not to mention the hideous spikes in prices speculators are sure to cause. And besides, blasting Iranian oil infrastructure is sure to result in retaliatory strikes all along the gulf with heavy losses on shipping.

Worst idea would be to cave in and roll over.

Best idea would be to go hard-core on Aheminehadhgged and pressure him from every angle, and if he still doesn't relent, use military force on him. USA-Israeli war.

So when can I see you line up to sign up for this war you want?

Best idea would be to go hard-core on Aheminehadhgged and pressure him from every angle, and if he still doesn't relent, use military force on him. USA-Israeli war.

Unfortunately, we don't have the forces to accomplish that at the moment, and even if we did, a general war would be such a mess that it would make Iraq look like Grenada.

Well, it's rather idiotic really. I mean, China might not look too kindly upon Iran suddenly being cut off from supplying it with oil, not to mention the hideous spikes in prices speculators are sure to cause. And besides, blasting Iranian oil infrastructure is sure to result in retaliatory strikes all along the gulf with heavy losses on shipping.

Not to mention what would happen in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This would have been an ideal situation for the neutron bomb.

This would have been an ideal situation for the neutron bomb.

No.

I think that we have to deal with Iran - but that idea (and the nuking one) is most certainly the worst that could have been thought up. Not only does it do nothing to take away the nuclear capabilities of Iran, but it actually gives them an outright reason to use them! I know it was already mentioned above, but I am just simply astounded by the complete and utter lack of intelligence in the idea itself.