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Is as follows:
1. Another 9-11 type incident happens. 2. The incident is somehow linked back to Iran. 3. The US makes impossible-to-comply-with demands on Iran. 4. Iran refuses to comply. 5. The US conducts limited airstrikes on Iran. 6. Iran retaliates, either in Iraq or the Persian Gulf. 7. The US launches massive airstrikes against Iran. 8. Iran declares war and moves ground troops into Iraq. 9. The US is forced to activate the draft. 10. Things get even worse.
As for reasons, some or all of these probably play a part:
1. Control over remaining oil resources as Peak Oil hits. 2. To solidify neocon control of the US government, and protect themselves from prosecution for misdeeds already done. 3. Because the military-industrial, energy, and state sectors are about the only functional parts of our economy left, and war will help them grow. 4. Inertia from the sheer size our military has grown to and the political impossibility of scaling it back. 5. Almost everyone connected with the current administration stands to profit more from war than from peace. 6. War is only undesirable if you actually have to fight in it or lose property because of it. 7. Without war, the US is facing an ignoble Soviet Union-style economic collapse and loss of superpower status. The proposed euro-denominated Iranian oil exchange is just one cog in this wheel. 8. Israel will not allow Iran to develop nukes. 9. To help bring about the End Times and fulfillment of prophecy. 10. Because "they" hate our freedoms. :P
I'm sure there are many more. The better question, since we know they want to, is why might the current Administration NOT attack Iran. I can think of the following reasons off the top of my head. None are really convincing.
1. Possibility of the war escalating into WWIII. Many of them want this precise result. 2. Possibility of the US losing the war. With nukes we can't actually lose against Iran. Iran has no ability to cause any serious damage on American soil. Any defeats, losses, or setbacks in the theater of operations will provide impetus to expand the military sector back home and provide stimulus for the economy. 3. Severe disruption of global oil production and supplies. Disruption of Middle Eastern oil supplies will cause more harm to our economic competitors than to us. The actual oil will still be there for the taking later. 4. Possibility of a coup or civil uprising in the US. This danger can be managed and mitigated, but probably never eliminated. No plan is ever completely risk-free. 5. Because starting a war with Iran for the reasons above is morally bankrupt. Neocons with morals? :rofl:
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