US: Hasty Israeli action prevented joint operation against Iran

CPT Jack Durish - Captain; My question exactly (and one that around 40% of the CENTCOM intelligence analysts have too).

I believe the Persians to be as hegemonic minded as any regional power in existence. They want an undue influence on the world scene that their power, geography, and economy deny them.

SSgt Robert Marx - Staff; As far as the Iranians being "as hegemonic minded as any regional power in existence" you are probably correct.

The "problem" is when the "regional powers" want to exercise their "regional power" in a manner that a "global power" doesn't like (even if that "global power" is based in a totally different region.

COL Ted Mc - They have been a constant source of trouble for the US since FDR and the agreement of Stalin & Churchill to occupy the country for the war's duration. The British quickly left but the Russians had to be cajoled. One of their goals throughout their history is for Russia to hold a Middle Eastern port.

SSgt Robert Marx - Staff; The Middle East has been a problem ever since "Sykes-Picot" (and the discovery of oil). Until the Turkish Empire was dismembered the Middle East was a "Turkish problem". With the discovery of oil it became an "International Oil Company problem".