Can the Iran conflict be handled diplomatically, if so what can be done?
611866
It is doubtful with the lunatic they have as a president. I think before the diplomatic procedures can be played out, he is going to either strike Israel, or give cause to have the Israeli's take a preemptive strike due to his continued threats towards Israel. If Iran manages to get nukes, the entire world, but primarily the US and Israel will be in real danger. Any move toward diplomacy is a smoke screen, and is just meant to buy more time. They learned from the UN/Iraq debacle, and he probably has no intention of keeping these nukes in Iran. He will ship them abroad in an attempt to get them over here to America and Israel.
1087745
Allow Muslims to resolve their own internal conflicts, remove the US and coalition troops from the Middle East. \n\nTheir people must have the desire to create change. \n\nThe US is responsible for the current unrest in the Middle East and should acknowledge that publicly. Admit our mistakes and be willing to help resolve the problem IF (and only IF) we are asked to. Otherwise stay out and let them resolve it.\n\nA joint effort to restore tranquility must come from all neighboring countries. Non-military efforts should be tried first, focus on restoring the desire for peace among the people in that area. At the same time, raise the quality of life above survival mode and try to police the areas in order to reduce crime and violence.\n\nOtherwise, the chaotic cycle will continue.
532696
It should not be allowed nuclear capabilities, and we should all endever to prevent this occurance, because it is not within the intrests of the Western world. I recognise the arguement that Iran is as unstable or backward as the Western press portray it to be, however a neuclear Iranian would enable it to dictate policy in the region to a much larger degree, look at North Korea for example. The West needs a weaker Iran to exploit its natural resources, we should not be apologetic about this fact, we should however be careful how we go about it. As previous events have shown, badly planned interferance is far worse than isolationism.
320685
One sincerely hopes that a war between Iran and the US never breaks out. But judging from the way things are turning out, war is a very real possibility. If war does break out:-\nThere will be heavy casualties on both sides. However, Iran will have to eventually concede defeat, or be wiped off. Though Iran has a large military force, it is largely antiquated and their might is still nowhere compared to what the US and its allies can bring to bear. All Iran's confident rhetoric and talk is only for public consumption and is actually to pep up their own troops and countrymen. Though it may have acquired weapons and delivery systems through its clandestine programme, their true capabilities are still suspect. Remember, both Saddam and the Taliban also behaved with similar over-confidence and arrogance before the conflicts began and in the initial stages.\nAlso, the US will not be alone. They will have allies as most of the developed nations consider Iran a rogue state, and will either back the US or at least tow their line. While many think the entire Moslem/Arab world will unite behind Iran, I feel that may not happen. Remember Iran is not an Arab nation. Deep down, there are significant differences simmering between the Sunni Arab states and largely Shiite Iran. While there will be rumblings of opposition to US action, I doubt any Arab state will cast their lot with Iran when it comes to taking up arms and actually fighting. Some independent militia groups might though.... Also, commercial considerations carry weight and siding with the US or being mute spectators is best for the Arab world in the long run. For the US, the key is to keep Israel out of the conflict. Iran will surely strike at Israel and if Israel retaliates, then Arab nations may offer support to Iran. Therefore, Israel should be kept out of action and protected from an Iranian strike at all costs. \nOne thing is certain, a war like this could escalate into a global one and any war there will alter the geo-strategic and economic balances in the region. \nThere will be a realignment of Moslem/Arab nations. The oil sector will be most radically affected.
495274
Isreal would be able to deal with Iran without too much of a problem.  The real issue would be dealing with the rest of the middle east who will ride the fence until Isreal strikes.  They would not stand by, they would attack and then the US would need to intervene.  What a mess.
52865
see what results of Europe's talks(which are becoming worse and worse) then use sanctions and arrange for military capabilities to be optimized against Iran, possibly sending another Aircraft carrier to the region. Get Iraq under control to free up military power in case Iran immerses itself into its Nuke making program. (there is no doubt that it is producing the technology and material to make nukes and has the intention to.)
162989
It would be very difficult for the U.S. and Israel to accept Iran having nuclear weapons. I give it less than a year because I believe common wisdom is that Iran could have nuclear capability that soon. \n\nWho will be involved?\nUs and Israel mainly, with Bush trying to put together a coalition like he did with limited success for Iraq.\n\nWill this lead the Western world into an endless war with Islam? \nI don't think so, but this is why it's so important to foster democracy in Islamic countries.\n\nHow far off is a war with Iran and Israel, and when will the global community step in and stop the Iranian "president" from dictating us and threatining us with oil?\nThe "global community" won't do anything to stop Iran, in my opinion. They're all afraid of terrorist retaliation. Look at news organizations' reaction to the rioting over the cartoons. They're all afraid to run the cartoons.\n\nIs oil worth the threat of an arms race in the middle east?\nI don't quite understand this question. Are you saying we are somehow responsible for encouraging an arms race because we want middle east oil? An arms race between who and whom?
628255
NO.They will take action against them through the UNO.I believe there will be no direct attack on Iran like the attack on Iraq.
870871
Despite the Anti-American rhetoric from Iran, it doesn't really want to have any major confrontation with the US, especially on a head-to-head basis, as militarily it is far weaker than the US.\n\nIn addition, the US has no real desire at present to send troops into Iran either (it's bad enough fighting battles in both Afghanistan and Iraq without fighting Iran also, since the best combat divisions are already tied up).\n\nIran is well aware that "attacking the US" would provoke a swift and powerful military response in the form of bombings and ship-launched missiles against strategic military targets in Iran, in order to prevent further Iranian attacks. The US would also ensure that Iranian nuclear facilities were well "bombed".\n\nThere would be no need for troops on the ground as the US wouldn't be seeking to invade, merely to punish.\n\nIn some ways an attack on a US ship by Iran would give the US an excuse to attack Iran and halt any nuclear intentions it had for the foreseeable future. \n\nHowever, Iran is not a "helpless kitten".\n\nWhen the USS Vincennes accidentally shot down an Iranian passenger plane, believing it to be a hostile jet, Iran vowed revenge - whatever it took.\n\nLess that 6th months later Pan Am Flight 103 blew up over Lockerbie killing all 270 people on board + 11 townsfolk who were subsequently hit by the falling debris.\n\nAlthough Colonel Gadaffi, who the the favorite whipping boy of the US was blamed, many intelligence agencies outside the US blamed Iran for funding the terrorists and proving the detonators.\n\nThe timing device used on the bomb was found to be similar to a batch sold to Iran 3 months earlier. 3 weeks before the bombing, West German police successful arrested several Arab terrorists who were plotting "to blow up a US plane". Two of the terrorists (now serving 20 years each in a German prison) admitted that Irananian Intelligence had supplied them with money, training and detonators.\n\nSo perhaps the real question is whether the US will cause a confrontation, either deliberably or accidentally with Iran, and how Iran, rather than the US, will react. \n\nMy guess would be a 6 or 7 suicide bombers in Times Square, Wall Street, near the Whitehouse, etc. There is a hell of a lot of "wannabe martyrs" in Iran, but they lack both the training and the funding. Iran can provide both.
210236
I don't see anything happening over Iran too soon.  Any US president would be insane to start a war with Iran and should be sent to a psychiatric facility immediately.  The EU and NATO definitely won't do anything to piss the Iranians off, Iran has missiles that are within range of their countries.  The UN doesnt have the balls to do anything either (plus you have Russia and China who'll oppose a lot on the Security Council).  Frankly, I think Israel is the only one who can be counted on to do anything at all--which in their case is going to be military action.  That, sadly, is going to drag us (the U.S.), if not Europe, in as well.
148986
If Iran remains stubborn on the issue and fails to cooperate with the UN inspectors like Saddam did, or continues to insist on gathering the materials to make a nuclear bomb, there is a very real danger of that happening. I truly hope not, but Iran's leader may force our hand, again, just as Saddam did. Pray for peace, my friend. There's been enough bloodshed and war, but we will do what we have to do. God bless.
874685
The best way to deal with Iraq and N. Korea is to take out Iran. That will show the world We are done fooling around. Korea is a big wasteland and their leader is looking forward to either getting massive aid or great destruction. Since He is unable to feed and house the population what happens to them is not important. Negotiation is for weak people.  The leaders of Iran, Syria and N. Korea will only respond to brute force.  Forget boots on the ground just knock out the central governments.
818230
You make some very good points - and your question is well thought out and written - but I believe the theory that terrorists can be dealt with successfully using diplomacy, negotiation or reasonable dialog was pretty much discounted when President Carter tried these policies during the Iranian hostage crisis.\n\nBefore reasonable dialog can take place, reasonable people must be involved. We are dealing with Islamic radicals - people who would cut your head off just to make another video. \n\nI do agree that more priority must be placed on training and equipping the Iraqi security forces to try and shorten the time needed to get them in position to take over the peace keeping tasks and routing out the terrorists now performed by American troops.\n\nUltimately, the Iraqi people will either stand up and fight for their freedoms and rights, or all of the humanitarian and military aid we can muster will be in vane - regardless of our strategy in this war.
642289
you need to become better informed, what war in iran are you talking about?
266377
Prepare yourself for the unthinkable: war against Iran may be a necessity. THE UNIMAGINABLE but ultimately inescapable truth is that we are going to have to get ready for war with Iran. \n\nThe unavoidable reality is that we now need urgently to steel ourselves to the ugly probability that diplomacy will not now suffice: one or way or another, unconscionable acts of war may now be unavoidable. \n\nThose who say war is unthinkable are right. Military strikes, even limited, targeted and accurate ones, will have devastating consequences for the region and for the world. \n \n\nIf Iran gets safely and unmolested to nuclear status, it will be a threshold moment in the history of the world, up there with the Bolshevik Revolution and the coming of Hitler. \n\n\nAnd the kind of society we live in and cherish in the West, a long way from Tehran or Damascus, will change beyond recognition. We balk now at intrusive government measures to tap our phones or stop us saying incendiary things in mosques. Imagine how much more our freedoms will be curtailed if our governments fear we are just one telephone call or e-mail, one plane journey or truckload away from another Hiroshima. \n\nSomething short of military action may yet prevail on Iran. Perhaps sanctions will turn their leadership from its doomsday ambitions. Perhaps Russia can somehow be persuaded to give them an incentive to think again. But we can’t count on this optimistic scenario now. And so we must ready ourselves for what may be the unthinkable necessity.
943796
International Diplomacy....getting European and Arab countries More involved by forming a coalition (Ala desert storm)....Europe and all these other Arab countries have way more to loose than America (terrorism wise).  It would be in all of their respective best interests in the long haul to stomp out the chaos of the growing civil unrest going on now....if USA just pulls out....terrorists AND IRAN will move right in....This is no longer about America vs Iraqi insurgency....it's total global situation now!
639067
Keep in mind that Iraq wanted nukes, but never got them. Plus, they DID possess chemical weapons of mass destruction and DID use them on their own people.\nAs far as Iran, nothing should be done but try to negotiate with them. If they don't comply with what the world wants, then that will be a sad day for their country.