Iran/Iraq

[Bush was AWOL]

I was trying to do some research to make a comparison if Iran would put up more of a fight if we did decide to invade, but I was unable to find much.

I don't really even want to think about war with Iran happening, but lets just pretend it did. Would they put up a greater insurgency or do they actually have a large military that is capable of giving our military all it can handle?

[bossfish]

1. Don't know too many specifics myself

But Iran is a MUCH bigger country (100 m people?) than Iraq. I think their military is pretty formidable.

[BillZBubb]

9. The Iranian military is WEAK and would collapse quickly.

Remember this bunch was fought to a standstill by Saddam's Iraq. They were sending unarmed "troops" in mass suicide charges against the Iraqis. It was slaughter of World War I proportions.

One U.S. armored division properly supported would rip them to shreds.

But, just like in Iraq, after the military collapsed, we'd have to occupy and police a country much bigger than Iraq. It would take at least 500,000 troops. We don't even have 50,000 available. The insurgency there would also be much better organized and effective. Iran would be a bloody hell to occupy.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. From what I've read here on DU...

they have an effective military that would make our forces a strong opposition.

Dig through some of the old threads and you should find some links.

[Bush was AWOL]

5. How do I dig through old threads?

nm

[mourningdove92]

3. I think all hell would break loose.

Iraq was a secular nation. They never got much in the way of open support from the other Islamic countries. Iran is a totally different deal. We cannot go there.

[Doctor_J]

4. they also have defense

unlike Iraq. This one definitely wouldn't be a cakewalk ;-)

[Jerseygirltoo]

6. Hope we're not that stupid

Iran has not been under any embargo like Iraq was. They have an airforce, a much bigger population, much of the country is mountainous, they have Silkworm missiles, they manufacture their own fighter planes, and we can only speculate how close they are to having nuclear weapons.

[shraby]

7. Use google

and put in Iran map or Iran statistics. Might be able to find stuff. I know the gov't. has a site with stats on it.

[punpirate]

8. Here's an idea:

From FAS.org:

Total Military Force
Active: 540,000
Reserves: 350,000

Army (350,000)
5 Corps HQ
4 Armored Divisions with 3 Armored 1 Mechinized Brigade, 4-5 Artillery Battalions
6 Infantry Divisions with 4 Infantry Brigades, 4-5 Artillery Battalions
2 Commando Divisions
1 Airborne Division

Navy (18,000)
Bases: Bandar-e Abbas (HQ), Bushehr, Kharg Island, Bandar-e Anzelli, Bandar-e Khomeini, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Chah Bahar

Air Force (52,000)
including 15,000 Air Defense

Forces Abroad and Foreign Forces
Independent:
Lebanon (150): Revolutionary Guard, Sudan (Military Advisers)
UN:
UNMEE (Ethiopia/Eritrea): 2 observers

Currently about 400 military technicians staff from China, North Korea, and the Russian Federation are stationed in Iran.

Paramilitary (40,000 active)
Basij: 300,000
Law Enforcement Forces: 40,000

Strategic Force
There are ongoing investigations by the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning Iran's compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. At the end of August 2003, the IAEA stated in a confidential report leaked to the media that trace elements of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) were found in an Iranian nuclear facility. In June of 2003, a IAEA Director General report stated that Iran had not met the obligations required of it by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. A November 2003 report identified further violations. In February 2004 it was discovered that Iran had blueprints for an advanced centrifuge design usable for uranium enrichment that it had withheld from nuclear inspectors. In December 2003, Iran signed an additional protocol authorizing IAEA inspectors to make intrusive, snap inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. The protocol was signed as an addition to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Continued uncertainties surrounding Iran's uranium enrichment activities were addressed in the IAEA's June 2004 report.

For More Information See Links

Iran *
2001
2002
2003
GDP
84bn
111bn

Defense Exp
3.2bn
5.1bn

Defense Bdgt
2.1bn
3.4bn
4.2bn


The main difference is the number of active troops + reserves--probably three times than that available to Iraq, and they likely have more functioning aircraft than Iraq, but the numbers are not well-known, since F-15 spare parts are included in the sanctions, and I don't think anyone knows for sure what they've been getting on the black market, or making themselves.

Cheers.

[Bush was AWOL]

11. Thanks nm

nm

[liberalmuse]

10. After what Bush has done to our military...

Iran would kick our ass. But of course the American way is to bomb the crap out of mostly defenseless people from the air.

If the son of a Bush tries, even TRIES to start another fucking phony war, he needs to be deposed--his ass dragged out of the WH by an angry mob and imprisoned.

[merh]

12. Uhh, doesn't Iran have nuclear weapons?

If they do, it wouldn't be a cake walk and them guys in Iraq will be in some serious danger. (imho)