Diplomacy sounds like the ideal answer but will Iran, like Russia and China, play by the rules? I think the answer to that is no. Equally, will Israel stick to any agreement that leaves the door open for its destruction by Iran. I think not. Whatever the outcome I believe Iran will come off worst.
From a British point of view Keir Starmer could learn a thing or two from Harold Wilson. As Prime Minister, Wilson avoided direct military involvement in the Vietnam War, even though he did offer political support to the US. Despite pressure from both the US to join the war and from within his own party to stay out, Wilson ultimately chose to remain neutral. This raises a question for Reform: how will Nigel Farage respond if President Trump initiates an attack on Iran, if Starmer follows Wilson’s plan?
“There’s also been some talk - shades of blowing up the Death Star – that Fordow has an Achilles heel, a ventilation shaft that could provide a pathway for a bomb.” Shades of Rogue One and Andor - Fascinating how real life imitates art!
In theory, and if the Iranian ADN is as degraded as the Israelis and others are claiming, the MOPs could be rolled out of the back of those C130s - no need for the B2s.
A C130 might have the ability to transport a GBU 57, but it can’t get to 50,000 feet, the altitude the bomb needs to gain the velocity needed to obtain maximum penetration. Lower = slower = shallower penetration. Not what is needed, also remember that the worldwide stock of these bombs is 20.
At 42,000 lb carrying capacity a C130 could conceivably carry one 30,000 lb MOB. But could it really be launched out the back? How intelligent is the MOB targeting system once released?
A good run over the options. Diplomacy of course looks by far the most attractive route to an outsider. But I suspect Netanyahu thinks the only way definitively to terminate rather than just delay Iran’s nuclear programme is by replacing the Islamic Republic with a government that does not define itself by hostility to Israel and the US. Hence his increasing public references to regime change. (He could be right - his problem is that it is very unclear whether such an alternative exists in any credible sense.)
Diplomacy sounds like the ideal answer but will Iran, like Russia and China, play by the rules? I think the answer to that is no. Equally, will Israel stick to any agreement that leaves the door open for its destruction by Iran. I think not. Whatever the outcome I believe Iran will come off worst.
From a British point of view Keir Starmer could learn a thing or two from Harold Wilson. As Prime Minister, Wilson avoided direct military involvement in the Vietnam War, even though he did offer political support to the US. Despite pressure from both the US to join the war and from within his own party to stay out, Wilson ultimately chose to remain neutral. This raises a question for Reform: how will Nigel Farage respond if President Trump initiates an attack on Iran, if Starmer follows Wilson’s plan?
“There’s also been some talk - shades of blowing up the Death Star – that Fordow has an Achilles heel, a ventilation shaft that could provide a pathway for a bomb.” Shades of Rogue One and Andor - Fascinating how real life imitates art!
In theory, and if the Iranian ADN is as degraded as the Israelis and others are claiming, the MOPs could be rolled out of the back of those C130s - no need for the B2s.
A C130 might have the ability to transport a GBU 57, but it can’t get to 50,000 feet, the altitude the bomb needs to gain the velocity needed to obtain maximum penetration. Lower = slower = shallower penetration. Not what is needed, also remember that the worldwide stock of these bombs is 20.
At 42,000 lb carrying capacity a C130 could conceivably carry one 30,000 lb MOB. But could it really be launched out the back? How intelligent is the MOB targeting system once released?
A good run over the options. Diplomacy of course looks by far the most attractive route to an outsider. But I suspect Netanyahu thinks the only way definitively to terminate rather than just delay Iran’s nuclear programme is by replacing the Islamic Republic with a government that does not define itself by hostility to Israel and the US. Hence his increasing public references to regime change. (He could be right - his problem is that it is very unclear whether such an alternative exists in any credible sense.)
If Israel does send special forces in, bag the film rights now. It has The Guns of Navarone for the 21st century all over it.