Comments on: Saudis Bypassing the Straits of Hormuz? http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/ Informed comment and commentary about Saudi Arabia, reform, and its relations with the US Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:43:08 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: John Burgess http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3686 John Burgess Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:23:00 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3686 I don't think it's the ones in power who are thinking that. I think it's the real wingnuts. BTW, I suggest you go back and find some better sources on the 'Nigerian yellowcake'. What Wilson found in Niger (not Nigeria) actually supported what the British said--and what Bush quoted. Even the Washington Post recognized that. I don’t think it’s the ones in power who are thinking that. I think it’s the real wingnuts.

BTW, I suggest you go back and find some better sources on the ‘Nigerian yellowcake’. What Wilson found in Niger (not Nigeria) actually supported what the British said–and what Bush quoted. Even the Washington Post recognized that.

]]> By: Abu Sinan http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3684 Abu Sinan Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:45:04 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3684 Unfortunately, those are the types of people in power. I dont think the sound heads in the military would allow it under current circumstances. What I worry about is a manufactured incident that kicks it all off. All we need is more proof of the type we got with the Nigerian yellow cake incident and the wolves will be howling for action. In such a case I am glad I am too old for the draft and my children are too young. Unfortunately, those are the types of people in power. I dont think the sound heads in the military would allow it under current circumstances. What I worry about is a manufactured incident that kicks it all off.

All we need is more proof of the type we got with the Nigerian yellow cake incident and the wolves will be howling for action.

In such a case I am glad I am too old for the draft and my children are too young.

]]> By: John Burgess http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3679 John Burgess Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:52:51 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3679 Who needs the Brits when the French are raring to go? That's a joke, by the way. I don't see any invasion of Iran coming any time soon, if ever. No US commander wants to fight in that terrain against that size of a ground army, whether or not the army is of any particular quality. I think talk of 'invading Iran' is coming from people more motivated by emotion than capable of applying reason. Who needs the Brits when the French are raring to go? That’s a joke, by the way.

I don’t see any invasion of Iran coming any time soon, if ever. No US commander wants to fight in that terrain against that size of a ground army, whether or not the army is of any particular quality. I think talk of ‘invading Iran’ is coming from people more motivated by emotion than capable of applying reason.

]]> By: Abu Sinan http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3677 Abu Sinan Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:25:25 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3677 Maybe, only time would tell. I hope it is all moot. We have made a hash out of our invasion of Iraq, any invasion of Iran would make Iraq look like child's play and would lead to an end of our position in the world. Not even the Brits would follow us after such a stunt. Maybe, only time would tell.

I hope it is all moot. We have made a hash out of our invasion of Iraq, any invasion of Iran would make Iraq look like child’s play and would lead to an end of our position in the world. Not even the Brits would follow us after such a stunt.

]]> By: John Burgess http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3673 John Burgess Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:13:51 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3673 I disagree. For one thing, a pipeline can be repaired in days versus the months it would take to remove wreckage from the Straits. Second, by putting pipelines underground, they'd become far less vulnerable to attack, either from the air or ground. I disagree. For one thing, a pipeline can be repaired in days versus the months it would take to remove wreckage from the Straits. Second, by putting pipelines underground, they’d become far less vulnerable to attack, either from the air or ground.

]]> By: Abu Sinan http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3671 Abu Sinan Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:52:24 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3671 The Straights would only be attempted to be shut down by Iran in a military confrontation, in which case a pipline would also be a target for attack by Iran as well. A pipline would be vulernable not only to Iran who could stop production for weeks with nothing more than a few targeted missle strikes, but also to AQ types who do not need a miltary confrontation with Iran to try to attack. The Straights would only be attempted to be shut down by Iran in a military confrontation, in which case a pipline would also be a target for attack by Iran as well.

A pipline would be vulernable not only to Iran who could stop production for weeks with nothing more than a few targeted missle strikes, but also to AQ types who do not need a miltary confrontation with Iran to try to attack.

]]> By: Trey Campbell http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3644 Trey Campbell Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:35:30 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3644 Defending Hormuz and defending a pipeline are two totally different things. For one, Hormuz is threatened by Iran, while pipelines would be threatened by AQ. Im not sure I agree that a pipeline network like Debka suggests is easier to defend. With the strait, you have the GCC and the US providing security against a known government...one that can be attacked and/or negotiated with. With the pipeline, you are going to see thousands of miles of pipeline that can be attacked with minimal effort by very few attackers. Hundreds of thousands of security forces are in Iraq now...and piplines are still being attacked with frequent success. Defending Hormuz and defending a pipeline are two totally different things. For one, Hormuz is threatened by Iran, while pipelines would be threatened by AQ. Im not sure I agree that a pipeline network like Debka suggests is easier to defend. With the strait, you have the GCC and the US providing security against a known government…one that can be attacked and/or negotiated with. With the pipeline, you are going to see thousands of miles of pipeline that can be attacked with minimal effort by very few attackers. Hundreds of thousands of security forces are in Iraq now…and piplines are still being attacked with frequent success.

]]> By: John Burgess http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3640 John Burgess Wed, 29 Aug 2007 22:47:44 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3640 To an extent, you're right. But a pipeline is still far smaller, and easier to protect, than the Persian Gulf. Perhaps that's what a 25,000-35,000 security force would be protecting. The idea makes sense. Whether it makes economic sense is something else. But then, there's not a shortage of money for that kind of project, either. To an extent, you’re right. But a pipeline is still far smaller, and easier to protect, than the Persian Gulf. Perhaps that’s what a 25,000-35,000 security force would be protecting.

The idea makes sense. Whether it makes economic sense is something else. But then, there’s not a shortage of money for that kind of project, either.

]]> By: Abu Sinan http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/comment-page-1/#comment-3637 Abu Sinan Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:13:04 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/2007/08/29/saudis-bypassing-the-straits-of-hormuz/#comment-3637 Interesting. But if they are worried about Iran shutting down the straights I dont really see how this would help too much. It would be impossible to protect a pipeline that long. It would be easily destroyed by either enemy troops and or strikes from the air. Besides, it wouldnt just be a target for Iran, AQ types would love to hit it as well. DEBKA, like MEMRI, needs to be taken with a few pounds of salt. Interesting. But if they are worried about Iran shutting down the straights I dont really see how this would help too much. It would be impossible to protect a pipeline that long. It would be easily destroyed by either enemy troops and or strikes from the air.

Besides, it wouldnt just be a target for Iran, AQ types would love to hit it as well.

DEBKA, like MEMRI, needs to be taken with a few pounds of salt.

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