World War III

humbo jumbo

Well-Known Member
'Hi RIU,

My roommate's father, Dr. Horst Utter, is a professor of political philosophy at Concordia University in Canada. He is also staying with us for the next week.

He sees World War III as a legitimate possibility within the next 6 months.

Here's a New York Times op-ed regarding Israel and Iran, the countries Prof. utter feels would be central to pulling the globe into a war that would very likely be nuclear:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/opinion/18morris.html?ex=1217044800&en=77aa34e68aa2e0a9&ei=5070&emc=eta1

Prof. utter pointed out the following quotation to me - 'the period from Nov. 5 to Jan. 19 seems the best bet, as it gives the West half a year to try the diplomatic route but ensures that Israel will have support from a lame-duck White House'

In light of the current Russian display of military might against US supported Georgia and obvious displays of US aggression such as missiles in Poland, what say you all? Bush's goodbye gift to the world is WWIII?



Look forward to hearing from you guys'
 

humbo jumbo

Well-Known Member
The professor, I think, is far off the mark. Wait, am I going to be the optimist? I'm not sure I know how to do that, but I'll give it a go.

Let us begin with Israel and Iran.

It is a legitimate possibility that Israel will strike Iranian nuclear facilities. I am not convinced that this will occur, as there are both military and political obstacles to an Israeli strike. I do not think most observers appreciate how limited the Israel military's ability to harm Iran's nuclear program is (I think an Israeli strike, while it would damage or destroy some of Iran's nuclear facilities, would probably fail to destroy many of Iran's nuclear facilities). I also think most observers underestimate the political instability within Israel right now (I am not sure the Israel's have a sufficient political consensus to strike Iran with their ongoing leadership struggle and parliamentary divisions).

But if such a strike did occur in the next year there is, I think, no chance the exchange would become a nuclear one. Only one party, Israel, has nuclear weapons to use. But the Israelis would not use a nuclear weapon against Iran unless Israel's leaders are totally deranged.

I see no evidence that Israel's leaders are deranged.

I can talk in more detail about my thoughts on the potential Israel-strikes-Iran scenarios if people want, but the worst case scenario, while terrifying, is nowhere near what the Professor lays out.

As for Russia, it is clear that the Russian government is acting in a manner outside the accepted norms of international behavior. They instigated a war in Georgia as their latest step in a long series of steps whose long term purpose is to reconstitute Russian hegemony over their former satellite states. There can be no doubt that Russia is a genuine national security challenge for the US and its allies.

But World War III? I think not. As bad as relations are right now between Russia and the U.S., we managed to avoid nuclear war with Russia under much more strenuous conditions during the first Cold War. The worst that can happen is another Cold War that will require skilled diplomacy to build alliances to contain Russia, military strength sufficient to deter Russian aggression, and American aid to those who resist the Russians when Russian aggression against its neighbors does occur.

Is this an unfortunate outcome? Yes.

Is it World War III? It is most certainly not.

As for the US deployment of a missile defense system to Poland, I strenuously object to this being characterized as an "obvious display of US aggression". This is a purely defensive system that Poles are begging us to deploy because they are scared to death of Russian aggression. It is not aggression to help our allies deter an attack.

So, while I think the Professor is right to be concerned about global instability, I think we are far from a nuclear war or a World War III.
 

We TaRdED

Well-Known Member
It is a legitimate possibility that Israel will strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
YouTube - Is Iran Ready To Take Over Europe?

YouTube - RUSSIA GEORGIA TRUTH (US VERSION)

YouTube - The truth about South Ossetia War, Georgia attack, and Russi


I thought the consensus was that IRAN DOES NOT HAVE NUCLEAR FACILITIES, unless your getting your information from the MainStream Media (MSM) which LIES! Humbo jumno, do you have sources that support your claim that "Iran has nuclear facilities" as FACT?...

You guys remember how "Iraq had WMD" too, right? HAHA The gov't allegedly had "faulty intelligence" about Iraq having WMDs! But we still invaded (or "liberated" as some might like to call) IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN and than we found out the intelligence was WRONG after we got into that big mess!

So, while I think the Professor is right to be concerned about global instability, I think we are far from a nuclear war or a World War III.
We can only hope that the USA and its allies don't drop ANOTHER NUKE on ANY countries, because I feel as though that would immediately bring the world into WW3. :cry:

I say we impeach our current gov't before they get us into and UNNEEDED WW3.. Someone has to do something! Who wants for America to fall farther down into the 'black hole' of DEBT???!!!! Say NO to WW3!


The REVOLUTION has begun!

RON PAUL REVOLUTION

~PEACE~
 

We TaRdED

Well-Known Member
By those who come from a medieval world; the Islamo-fascists. That would include al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Taliban.

Vi
:neutral:..............................:roll: *Rolls eyes*.......................:-|



The REVOLUTION has begun!

RON PAUL REVOLUTION

~PEACE~
 

john.roberts85

Well-Known Member
By those who come from a medieval world; the Islamo-fascists. That would include al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Taliban.

Vi
Will WWIV be fought between theists and athiests? I'd probably be willing to scalp a theist if the circumstance presented itself. Hold onto your hats, everyone. :mrgreen:

Me loves some Black D from Sensi.
 

Big P

Well-Known Member
without:

rules
borders
justice
safety
security

you can only have:

chaos
madness
death
destruction
suffering

how can you make sure you have:

rules
borders
justice
safety
security


anybody?



this is how:




what do u think we tarted?
 

ccodiane

New Member
As do I. Some even say we are currently in WW4. I probably also agree. The information age eliminates the need for murder via gunfire.......
 

medicineman

New Member
As do I. Some even say we are currently in WW4. I probably also agree. The information age eliminates the need for murder via gunfire.......
I just love how all you pussies that have never been in a war zone talk about war like it were on TV. That's as close as you've ever been. Wait untill it comes to your town then talk your shit.
 

bobharvey

Well-Known Member
By those who come from a medieval world; the Islamo-fascists. That would include al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Taliban.

Vi
Hezbollah and Hamas have seats in their government because they were elected. They both provide social programs for the people that elected them as well.
 

ViRedd

New Member
Hezbollah and Hamas have seats in their government because they were elected. They both provide social programs for the people that elected them as well.
Right ... and Al Capone was well thought of in his neighborhood too. :blsmoke:

Vi
 
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