Iran, Israel, America geopolitical debate thread

[DumbAss Tanker]

Instability in the ME works to Russia's favor, particularly with a spineless U.S. president. Russia steps into the vacuum.

Correct.  And MSB, Russia isn't terribly concerned about pissing off the Sunni states, they figure (Probably correctly) that once they are the big dog in the Persian Gulf, they'll come around.  Friendship with Iran offers the Russians something they have always lusted after - year-round blue water ports.

 

[TVDOC]

As much as it pains me to state this, Russia is a textbook example of what a country run by unchecked "capitalism" in its purest (and most corrupt) sense looks like.......

Russia is essentially an Oligarchy, run by the owners of the means of production (and the Russian mafia,  which in many cases are the same people).......without any semblance of government control or oversight.  So long as Putin and his cronies get their cut, folks are employed, and there is a steady flow of cash, nobody cares about the long-term consequences of any trade decision.

They have no "foreign policy" as we understand it.

doc

[DumbAss Tanker]

They have no "foreign policy" as we understand it.

doc

Correct.  Their policy, such as it is, involves simply frustrating rivals (Mainly us now, eventually it will have to be the Chinese though, and possibly India beyond that), restoration to Great Power status in the eyes of the world (But with no particular plan as to how, or intent to accept any responsibilities in that role), regaining direct or at least indirect control over as much of the former USSR and Warsaw Pact as possible, and achieving the goal of warm-water naval bases (Which dates back to Peter the Great and is the single most enduring tenet of their policy regardless of the form of their government).

[Cyrus]

On an unrelated .

My game predictions for today:

Iran-Bahrain
2-1

Oman-Australia
1-3

Tajikistan-Japan
1-1 (at 90)

Iraq-China
2-1

Cameroon-Sudan
3-1

Turkey-Croatia
1-2

Argentina-Bolivia
3-2

Uruguay-Chile
2-2 (at 90)

Poland-Italy
1-3

France-USA
2-1

Ukraine-Germany
1-2

Greece-Russia
2-2 (at 90)

Bosnia-Portugal
1-2

90%- positive not bolded.
90%+ positive bolded.

[Crazy Horse]

First argument, fear mongering:
[iAmerican: An attack on Iran by America/Israel would result in the Persian gulf becoming unsafe for American oil interests and a possible attack on Saudi Arabia which is America's life line for crucial oil.

Operation Praying mantis and Nimble archer

I'll see your Corvettes, Frigates, Subs and go fast boats and raise you a CVN, CG, DDG, SSGN, SSN