"Mother of all wars" is probably an accurate forecast, though. Likewise for "mother of all peace" knowing just how much the younger Persian population idolizes those of us in the United States.
Keep in mind the last time the US funded a public engagement against Iran (by bankrolling Iraq and feeding Saddam with weapons), it resulted in a draw. A future engagement is entirely winnable by the US, but good lord at what cost? We're talking an engagement that might potentially run a century, at least if Persian grudges are anything to consider.
Disclosure: Persian background. Not at all in favor of the current Iranian government to the point where I wouldn't even bother flying to Iran to pay family a visit, but I've got enough exposure to the culture to know exactly why such an engagement will never end. Color me overly optimistic, but I feel like the Obama approach was working.
Keep in mind the last time the US funded a public engagement against Iran (by bankrolling Iraq and feeding Saddam with weapons), it resulted in a draw. A future engagement is entirely winnable by the US, but good lord at what cost? We're talking an engagement that might potentially run a century, at least if Persian grudges are anything to consider.
Disclosure: Persian background. Not at all in favor of the current Iranian government to the point where I wouldn't even bother flying to Iran to pay family a visit, but I've got enough exposure to the culture to know exactly why such an engagement will never end. Color me overly optimistic, but I feel like the Obama approach was working.