would Russia and China possibly back Iran if the U.S. were to attack Iran?
453987
Fear would deter them from getting into such a conflict. And the US would have to ensure those countries their oil supply.
752778
Hello?  Israel is our ally.  They need nukes for protection. Iran wants to annihilate them and us.
82143
It depends who does what.  If Iran announces it's got nukes, or blocks the Strait of Hormouz, then them.  If North Korea suddenly gets in into their heads to invade the South (or else decides to lob a couple at Japan -Koreans on both sides of the DMZ, along with most of Asia, have bitter memories of Japanese occupation.  Syria, perhaps, though not as likely, given the problems Bashir Assad already has.  However, Iran is the most likely of the three to go nuts -especially with those madmen Khameini & Ahmadinejad at the helm.  And Iran's the primary backer of the insurgency in Iraq -an invasion would force them to cut off ops in Iraq.  It's a strategic question more than anything else.  Iran makes the most sense, since they have a lot of influence in Central Asia & the Caspian -two areas we're trying to gain influence in, along with Russia & China.  It also makes life harder on the Saudis & Syrians, and means it's one less threat we have to face in the Middle East.  Or, it could be something totally out of the blue, caused by someone attacking an ally of the U.S. (though one could argue that's what Iran's doing in Iraq now).
939617
I am a die hard republican and I will say, you are absolutely right.\n\nI should add though that Europe, Russia, China's indifference to Iran is troubling.  Avoiding war is not the highest ground, but instead the choice of a practical war.
167770
I'm sure they can! But, isn't this like putting the fox in the chicken coup?  What makes anyone think that Russia can be trusted?  Were they not part of the scam to buy Iraqi oil during the great embargo of the ninties?  What makes anyone think that Russia is our friend? This is a country that collapsed under its inability to stay up with the US militarily, sixteen years ago.  Now that it has found new strength in oil and natural gas, I believe Putin would do anything to regain the status of superpower, then watch out!
439692
Well as upto this time Iran is a danger mainly to the developed world . After that it may go for the developing world. By fighting all these wars america has messed up its economy , meanwhile china zooming past it.So as of right now mainly for developed world.
820651
I see why you ask this. Russia, beyond a shadow of a doubt, does sponsor and fund terrorism. Their economy is down now, but because of their tremendous oil reserves will rise again. Russia has been and will continue to be an "ally of convenience". Whatever they agree to, and work towards will always be in the best interest of Russia and no one else. Certainly you know the answer to your question is "No.", but Russia will not be a sleeping giant forever.
628255
NO.They will take action against them through the UNO.I believe there will be no direct attack on Iran like the attack on Iraq.
497569
I hope they don't for their own sake. i smell a rat: ruskies may have gifted iran with some serious weaponry in exchange for mega contracts.\n\nIf it does happen i hope all Nato countries and other allies like Australia, Japan, S Korea contribute more than just token forces to wipe out this irritant.
686284
I don't think so, nobody wants war with Iran, because they have allies in China and Russia and that would be world war III
37791
The answer to that question is both yes and no. Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, understands that the world is still suffering oil shock from the recent natural disasters, in addition to the fact that the majority of the US Army and Marines are stabilizing Iraq. This entire plot to stare down the world is merely a tactic of “shock and awe”. \nThe bottom line is no other Middle Eastern country other than Syria has shown support for their actions. Also, no European or North American countries are supportive of their actions. \nIf embargos were enacted and Iran began withholding its oil, the world would not come to an end. Sure prices would rise, but often the will of the people is stronger than any economy or dictator. \nIf all trade was ceased between the majority of the world and Iran, the economic repercussions for Iran would be disastrous. As it is, the government is terribly unstable, faces daily democracy marches, and only gains support through Islamic extremism and terror. \nFinally, if war were to break out, Iran is positioned right between two US allies, Afghanistan and Iraq. This would provide ample staging areas for any type of offensive. Also, as demonstrated during the first gulf war and to some extent during the second, the American and European militaries are designed for short term hit and run tactics which allows modern technology to be used most efficiently. If Iran was to stop selling its oil, it would hurt many countries that might have had a neutral stance at the beginning. With this being true, any military action could easily see the most global coalition that modern warfare has ever seen.\nacansco@yahoo.com
877466
i just wanna say if the USA started a war with Iran.Iran well win.......and Iran well be the new strongest country in the world instead of the USA\nhope so
439550
abdulqadeer48 - pull your head out of ... the sand.\n\nOf course China has nukes pointed at US soil. Any country with that many nukes (the US included) has nuclear weapons ready to launch in an instant in case of attack. Whether they will actually push the button or not is the only question. As one answerer earlier stated, they are not ready ... yet.\n\nOf course the US will continue to support Israel. It is the oldest democracy in the Middle East with a culture very similar to the US. In fact, many US citizens choose to make Israel their home.\n\nSo, Yes and Yes.
132477
Interesting question.  \n\nOn the one hand, the US and other nations rightly perceive Iran as a threat, and don't want Iran to have the power to build nuclear power plants, as this could lead to nuclear weapons.\n\nOn the other hand, Iran rightly perceives the US as a threat, and the Iranian leadership is responding to that with tough talk, and refusal to back down.  Which then feeds into other countries perceiving Iran as a threat, and it's a vicious circle.\n\nPersonally, I'm not sure what to say.  I don't want Iran to have nuclear weapons, and it would be hard for them to have nuclear power plants without getting access to nuclear weapons technology.  The proposal that Russia refine the uranium that is used in Iranian power plants completely misses the point of the issue, which is independenc/autonomy.  \n\nUnfortunately, I think the short-term answer is a lot of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, ending in face-saving measures for all sides, and a lot of backing down.  Perhaps something like Iran stops trying to develop nuclear power, and other nations help them develop sustainable, clean energy from other sources.  Bet solar panels would be very effective over there.  In private, meanwhile, Western nations would perhaps agree to stop developing new nuclear power plants or nuclear weapons, and claim publically some other reason.  It sounds like we're giving up a lot there, but really we're only giving up things that put us at danger anyway, because it's impossible to make a nuclear plant _completely_ safe from terrorist attack, and the development of new nuclear weapons just leads to proliferation.
475094
Bush government may attack to Iran(an attack to Syria is also within possibilities) or support the attack of Israel. But I don’t think that it is going to be within one year at least since USA may have some trouble in its backyard within forthcoming months. Brazil-China relations become closer. There is already a tension with Venezuela. There will be elections in around 10 South-America countries in 2006. At the end of this year, USA may have other Chavezes to deal with. USA is already in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is risky to attack not only Iran but any other country before having stability in the backyard. \n\nYou may look over the following link to see whats going there.\nAnalysis: How the US 'lost' Latin America \nhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4861320.stm
325249
Anybody, the US has thousands upon thousands of nuclear weapons, so nuclear war would go very badly for Iran. China has about 4000 nuclear weapons, Britain has nuclear weapons, as does France and Russia.
889964
I've been questioning their support of Iran, France, and the former leader of Iraq, Saddam Hussein. I know Russia needs money and that need dictates much of what they do. But I'm also very wary that they may have ulterior motives. And I think our Pentagon is aware as well.