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Not many countries could take on Iran

Reader comment on item: Thoughts on the P5+1 Negotiations with Tehran
in response to reader comment: Saudi really don't have the means ??

Submitted by Michael S (United States), Jan 19, 2015 at 04:52

Hi, Carlos.

I've heard this several times, about how the Saudis are unimpressive militarily. I don't know the details of this, other than their track record. They certainly couldn't take Saddam Hussein on by themselves, but depended on the US and others to do it for them. They also had a protracted proxy war in Yemen years ago, and are in another one now against Iran. Again, they have not performed with any distinction, despite very expensive equipment.

Iran, on its part, had a protracted slug-out with Saddam Hussein, which they fought to a standstill in the 1980s. Since then, they have been doing pretty well "leading from behind" against Sunni Jihadis; and they have made some impressive technological advances (such as putting satellites in orbit). I don't think Saudi Arabia is a match for them; but Israel could probably beat them up pretty badly.

Israel is such a tiny country, that much of its tactics involve the element of surprise: When they have it, they can do wonders; but when their enemies have it, it can produce some perilous situations. Because of this problem, it never ceases to amaze me, how many Israelis are willing to give up their strategic depth in return for empty promises made by proven liars.

To sum up, only Israel, or some of the heavyweights (US, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, England or France) could do serious damage to Iran.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (27) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Where Is the Fatwa [53 words]Michael J. CaseyMar 26, 2015 12:50222497
Other ways to thwart Iran [40 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Peter ChewDec 16, 2014 12:57219804
Size, in this case,doesn't mean anything. [55 words]josef zuaresNov 30, 2014 05:35219562
1A total failure. [96 words]NuritGNov 30, 2014 01:32219560
1A Joint Saudi-Israeli Strike? [59 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
AlexNov 29, 2014 01:45219549
2Obama has the virtue of consistency [119 words]Doug MayfieldNov 28, 2014 17:45219542
Iran Will Eventualy Think Getting American Indulgences Was Not All That Virtuous After All [178 words]M. ToveyDec 8, 2014 10:45219542
Iran, Israel, Turkey and the Samson (nuclear) option [855 words]Michael SJan 3, 2015 15:34219542
Wait for It- Do Not be Russian to the Conclusion [222 words]M. ToveyJan 6, 2015 19:04219542
Turkey, etc. first, then America et al [862 words]Michael SJan 7, 2015 05:24219542
1Saudis really don't have the means? [24 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
MarkNov 27, 2014 09:00219511
Saudi really don't have the means ?? [52 words]Carlos de SouzaNov 30, 2014 06:54219511
Not many countries could take on Iran [236 words]Michael SJan 19, 2015 04:52219511
Who could take on Iran ?? [57 words]Carlos de SouzaJan 19, 2015 20:28219511
Israel's secret weapon [205 words]Michael SJan 22, 2015 08:08219511
1God is on Israel's side !!! [60 words]Carlos de SouzaJan 22, 2015 22:32219511
The Turkish-Iranian invasion of Israel will be bloody [869 words]Michael SJan 28, 2015 05:11219511
1Israel and the Iranian bomb !! [90 words]Carlos de SouzaNov 27, 2014 04:14219510
Thank you for your service [37 words]Jay AbouafNov 27, 2014 03:11219508
two points [234 words]Comment from IsraelNov 27, 2014 02:26219506
Hopefully, Netanyahu Learned Not to Tell Obeyme [21 words]FactsRuleNov 27, 2014 01:56219505
3Iran will get the Nukes [54 words]Michael Hanni MorcosNov 27, 2014 01:18219504
1sanctions irrelevant? [121 words]David BlochNov 27, 2014 01:14219503
The Problem with Focusing on Iran [5 words]LindaKNov 26, 2014 22:38219498
2Senator Graham To The Rescue, I Hope [94 words]DaveNov 26, 2014 22:31219497
He is forcing us to destroy Iran. [7 words]Robin RosenblattNov 26, 2014 22:07219496
1Qom, but Qom prepared [106 words]MAHAMUNINov 26, 2014 21:59219494

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