Iran is the 18th largest country in the world in terms of area, at 636,372 sq mi (larger than Alaska), Iran has a population of around 79 million, nearly 3 times that of Iraq. They have an oppressive theocratic government but, despite that, a functioning society.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), totaling about 545,000 active troops add around 350,000 Reserve Force and we have a total of around 900,000 trained troops. Iran also has a paramilitary, volunteer militia force within the IRGC, called the Basij, which includes about 90,000 full-time, active-duty uniformed members.
More beyond the Kosquiggle
Up to 11 million men and women are members of the Basij who could potentially be called up for service; GlobalSecurity.org estimates Iran could mobilize "up to one million men". This would be among the largest troop mobilizations in the world.
Further, unlike Afghanistan or Iraq they have an intact navy and air force as well as Chinese and Russian pals who really like their oil reserves.
Compared to Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq are chump change. The Iranians are more unified and far better equipted. A land invasion would cost much, much more in American lives and taxpayer money than did Iraq and Afghanistan. But, you can bet the 1% will not being paying the bill or putting their Gucci boots on the ground but they will be profiting greatly from the effort.
And yet, there are many who believe that the “existential “ threat to Israel warrants sending more American military personel to be maimed and killed in the defense of.....uh...what?
The US is not, and should not, be the big attack dog for Nutty-yahoo and his ideological right wing allies. Much of the threat to Israel , but not all, comes from the uncompromising postions of the Israeli government – the US is not their mommy.
What is the most (or any) positive outcome of a US military response to the Iranian "trangression”? I have no fucking idea ...does anybody?
It is long past the time in which the US can play the role of world cop. We have serious problems in our own country and we can't afford to take on the problems of other nations unless they pose an immediate, credible and direct threat to the US.