www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Will there be an iranian war?

Russia has an economic investment in Iran; they had billions invested in Iraq. If we bomb the nuclear plant which Russia is supporting they will be very unhappy.

If Russia does enter into a conflict, I can't imagine that Putin would step down and accept the constitutionally limited terms of office.

Currently, any invasion of the United States would only end in disaster for the invader. We have more guns per person then any other country and we have excellent terrain for guerilla warfare in vast mountains and forests.

That's not to say they couldn't just bomb us back to the stone-age though.

When I think of this situation, I'm happy the 2nd amendment exists.

Back to the topic. Yeah, we're not going to invade Iran, we'll just bomb the nuke facilities and do Israel's dirty work for them, since they don't seem to be willing.

No, unless there is another attack against the United States which can be traced back to Iran. And I don't believe there will be, for Al-Qaeda and fiends know that if they attack the US before the next presidential election, the Republicans will win. And Al-Qaeda definitely want the Democrats to assume power.

Alexandr

Personally I think that we will try the diplomatic route before a military offensive. We would respond defensively, however.

Another question is with Turkey, if we would protect the Kurdish rebels they pursue into Northern Iraq. Their parliament has approved military action.

Terry

Al-Qaeda and fiends?

Is that a Freudian slip?

Should the US go to war against Iran, I recommend that everyone move to Ireland with all deliberate speed - we're a nice, small, neutral country and unlikely to go to war against anybody. Our greatest danger is that someone will nuke London and the fall-out would fall this way.

Besides, there's an interesting Greek-Catholic parish in Dublin (there are also two or three Eastern Orthodox parishes, a Coptic Orthodox parish, a Syro-Malabar mission, and some sort of Maronite presence).

So Cead Mile Failte, y'all!

Fr. Serge

Blahoslovy!

I actually have a standing job offer in Dublin. Do you need a subdeacon?

You are not that fat Nathan! You are not fat at all!

You just need more work outs! ;-)

Go for it!!!! Living in another country will be such a wonderful experience for your family! (...and a bonus will be having Father Serge close by!)

Alice

What I wonder is, if we do get into a war with Iraq, will traditional, conservative, orthodox Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians listen to their Popes, Patriarchs and Bishops this time, and oppose a war? Will we seek to follow the teaching of Christ? Or will we put our perceived national interest ahead of our vocations as Christians? I hope that Catholic & Orthodox Christians will protest and help prevent the war before it gets started. Pre-emptive war is not godly or Christian.

If there's going to be a war, chocolate could become scarce. I better go shopping now before those hoarders get it all.

I cannot see the United States initiating a ground war with Iran at this time. As a cavalry officer with two combat deployments already and another one just around the corner, I can confidently say that we do not have the soldiers to make it happen. A draft is an unrealistic work-around for this barrier as there would be a CONSIDERABLE delay between institution and the first units becoming combat-capable. Remember back to WWI when it took a year for the AEF to make it to France. It takes an ENORMOUS infrastructure to support a draft, everything from enhanced training facilities, additional instructors and equipment, and an entire force structure on the receiving end ready to receive the boot camp graduates and train them in unit standard operating procedures and the like.

Ironically, even an air war at this point is likely moot. Iran's nuclear program is home-grown with native industry. When you use air strikes against a country like Iraq or Syria, you can actually make a dent because those nations rely almost entirely on foreign assistance to build nuclear programs. Iran, however, has facilities all over the country and it would be impossible to destroy everything. They would be able to rebuild.

I think you will see continued saber rattling. More than that is unrealistic.

"Pre-emptive war is not godly or Christian."

Incidentally, Catholic just war 'doctrine' does not condemn pre-emptive wars. Please do not confuse pre-emptive wars with aggressive wars. There are several situations where pre-emptive war is fully in line with Christian teachings.

Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos,

Ed

Amen!

Dear Ed:

Thank you for your service, please know that those of us against the war do appreciate you and pray for your success and safety.

In the East, there is no just war doctrine. My point however, is that many Catholics and Orthodox have ignored the teaching & prophetic warnings of their bishops. I think that our Pope & bishops were right about the Iraq war.

One principle of Just War states:

"the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition."
- #2309. CCC

See Bishop Saliba's letter before the war. It has turned out to be correct about the outcome of this war, and very prophetic:

http://www.antiochian.org/news/Release20021009_Iraq.htm

I hope you can stay home and there is no more fighting for you or any of our other brave soldiers, whom I pray for every day.

Blessings,

Lance

Hey! My brother is a Captain and Commander right now in the Calvary. He flies Kiowa's. Sounds like you two are similar, he's been in Bosnia, Afghanistan and now Iraq.

Anyways, just thought I'd share. I don't hear from him much, his living conditions aren't that great, but I hear from my other brother who is also a Cpt. (engineer, currently training Iraqis in doing raids and stuff like that) He has great living conditions and we play online risk and chat almost every morning!

Just thought I'd share.

Nathan