Iran is at the top of the enemies list, but it poses no strategic threat to the United States
Size matters
The American Conservative
by Gregory Cochran
Iran is now at the top of the enemies list, but of course it poses no strategic threat to the United States. Iran's GNP is 20 to 40 times smaller than that of the U.S., and the Iranians are hardly sophisticated technologists. If they tried hard, if they spent a huge fraction of their GNP on weapons, they might be able to spend 1/30th as much on arms as we do. But they're not trying hard. In truth, Iran hasn't embarked upon any military adventures in years: there is no pattern of aggression and conquest, no frantic military buildup. The war with Iraq a generation ago seems to have used up most of the Iranians' revolutionary zeal. We do not hear of their 'last territorial demands.' In fact, we're still waiting for the first... (for publication 10/23/06)
http://www.amconmag.com/2006/2006_10_23/cover.html
Informant: Thomas L. Knapp
The American Conservative
by Gregory Cochran
Iran is now at the top of the enemies list, but of course it poses no strategic threat to the United States. Iran's GNP is 20 to 40 times smaller than that of the U.S., and the Iranians are hardly sophisticated technologists. If they tried hard, if they spent a huge fraction of their GNP on weapons, they might be able to spend 1/30th as much on arms as we do. But they're not trying hard. In truth, Iran hasn't embarked upon any military adventures in years: there is no pattern of aggression and conquest, no frantic military buildup. The war with Iraq a generation ago seems to have used up most of the Iranians' revolutionary zeal. We do not hear of their 'last territorial demands.' In fact, we're still waiting for the first... (for publication 10/23/06)
http://www.amconmag.com/2006/2006_10_23/cover.html
Informant: Thomas L. Knapp
rudkla - 18. Okt, 15:51
