Wow, I gotta say MikeB that your posts are very encouraging. I'm an American and I'd like to see a peaceful solution to the issue as well. I talked with Stephen Kinzer and even sat in on one of his tour lectures. A lot of the points you made share similarities with what he was advocating.

For instance, he told me that Iranians, in general, are pretty supportive of America, just not in terms of foreign policy. He also made mention, as you did, that if the US were to attack Iran, then regardless of their dislike of their own government they would rally to fight the invaders.

Mr. Kinzer also made mention, though I'm not sure myself, that Iran can be a possible stabilizer for Iraq and Afghanistan. The Iranians have ties with Iraq and want to see her stable as much as we do and similar can be said for Afghanistan.

All in all, it's simply not desirable to go to war... Again. =]

I'm rather speechless with regards to the incredible ignorance people have displayed in this thread.

 you really are that ignroant.

 Russian military techchnology is even with Americas if not better.

 What the budget differance means is the USA can affored to implement their latest weapons on a large scale while Russia can't, but that sure as HELL does not stop the Russians from selling their best to whom ever can pay.  Their lack of funds have actually encouraged them to sale their state of the art weapoms system to whom ever wantsto buy it.