Which countries surround Iran, geographically speaking?

[Deja Q]

Let's suppose *co nukes Iran... the radiation won't stop at its border. It'll move on through.

Iran's neighbors will not tolerate such an attack from the US or its allies.

That includes Israel, and everybody knows they are in bed with the US. Complete with massage oil, vibrators, Trojan Minis, you name it.

One nuke = the end.


For that, and other reasons nowhere near as far fetched, it won't happen.

So stop worrying.

[malta blue]

1. Iran is surrounded by areas that the US already occupies

Iran will be *co's exit strategy from Iraq and Afghanistan. I think you are right on the nuclear attack issue, but unfortunately, I feel * has his eyes on that prize.

[KansDem]

2. Check out the CIA Fact Book

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.html

[FlaGranny]

10. Just to the east of those "stan" countries is CHINA -

China would be downwind from any nuclear attack in Iran. Russia might be, but I'm not familiar with the weather and jet stream patterns in that part of the world; but, neither Russia or China would be pleased.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. here. It is a hell of a lot bigger than Iraq!!!!!!

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

6. They have a much larger population and more viable army

I think we'd get our heads handed to us in a conventional invasion right now.

Hence the "wild speculation" that involves nukes.

God help us, W, Cheney and Rumsfeld are all fricking loons.

[kaygore]

7. This is a good map as it clearly shows Turkey

Turkey would not let us use airbases in their country in the attack of Iraq (It's the Kurds, stupid) although they are a NATO nation. They also have been cozying up to the EU. They would not take an attack on Iran lightly nor would Europe and the other parts of the world dependent on Iran for oil!

But then when has logic and consequences stopped sociopaths?

[DELUSIONAL]

9. Bush won't use airbase -- he has subs that can deliver nukes

or whatever.

During Gulf War I -- there was a trial run firing a missile (cruise missile) from somewhere on the other side of Saudi Arabia. But this would mean that the missile would cross sovereign territory -- but I doubt that the idiot in the white house would even think about that.

He'd make his decision and then order Rummy or Cheney to "do it" -- with zero thought to the consequences. He has never been made to take responsibility for his behavior/decisions. Even now the bloody bastard is blaming the democrats.

[kaygore]

13. Some blame goes to the sheeple

[immoderate]

4. Probably not, but then there's George Bush.

If he's as truly insane as we think he is, what's to stop him.

In his addled mind he can rationalize that he's helping to bring on the fucking Rapture!

So I repeat what's to stop him?

--IMM

[kaygore]

8. I agree

That which is done in the name of the "Lord" is often the cruelest and most bloody. He may not have 100 virgins (of whatever number) awaiting him (and I doubt that he would want them anyway) but his "God" awaits him...in Hell!

[CrazyOrangeCat]

5. Without looking at a map . . .

. . . I think they are: Iraq, Turkey, Russia, and Pakistan. With the Emirates right across the Straits of Hormuz.

And, I sure hope you're right . . . cuz the NeoCons are as crazy as they come.

[RaleighNCDUer]

11. And just what will they do about it?

IIRC, prevailing winds would carry any fallout away from Saudi Arabia and Israel. Depending on the time of year it would be carried into the Indian Ocean or north and east, into Afghanistan and the former soviet republics, which are all basket cases anyway. Iran is a pretty large area, however, so most fallout would simply fall in Iran.

The real fallout would not be radioactive but political. Seeing what has happened in Iraq the administration may, naively, believe that the Muslim world would divide against itself, the way Iraq has, and not effectively respond. I think it would unite, and we would find ourselves suddenly up against a billion very pissed off Muslims who believe that the US has declared a religious war against their faith.

A little radiation is the least of our worries.

[LunaC]

12. One nuke = the end

And what makes you think that isn't what they're aiming for?

Consider it a case of "Dueling Armageddon’s" - Two crazed religious fundamentalist leaders who believe in their own version of “democracy” and the Second Coming are pushing their own agendas behind the scenes. Let’s hope that calmer, wiser minds prevail and their twisted dreams don’t come true……


Waiting for the rapture in Iran

For those who believe, the devotion is real. Tears stream down the cheeks of 2,000 men ripe for the return of the Mahdi, the 12th Imam they expect will soon emerge to bring justice and peace to a corrupt world.

-snip-

As at a Christian revivalist meeting that promises healing and redemption, many weep as they pray for the Shiite Muslim version of the second coming of the Messiah.

-snip-

"Bush said: 'God said to me, attack Afghanistan and attack Iraq.' The mentality of Mr. Bush and (President) Ahmadinejad is the same here - both think God tells them what to do," says Mr. Mohebian, noting that end-of-time beliefs have similar roots in Christian and Muslim theology.

"If you think these are the last days of the world, and Jesus will come , this idea will change all your relations," says Mohebian. "If I think the Mahdi will come in two, three, or four years, why should I be soft? Now is the time to stand strong, to be hard." That mind-set also hearkens back to the missionary ambition of the newly forged Islamic Republic. "What Ahmadinejad believes is that we have to create a model state based on ... Islamic democracy - to be given to the world," says Hamidreza Taraghi, head of the conservative Islamic Coalition Society. "The ... government accepts this role for themselves."

Any possibility of détente with the US may also be in jeopardy, if the US-Iran conflict is cast in Mahdaviat terms. That view holds that the US - with quasireligious declarations of transforming the Middle East with democracy and justice, deploying military forces across the region, and developing a new generation of nuclear weapons - is arrogantly trying to assume the role of Mahdi.

More………

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1221/p01s04-wome.html