With escalating tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, here's the breakdown on who could win in an outright war
Saudi Arabia and Yemen have been engaged in brutal proxy warfare since 2011, beginning in Syria, followed by Yemen.
Both countries are significantly different in terms of the size and the capabilities of their militaries. But Iran’s ability to fight a war has suffered due to heavy on-and-off sanctions since the 1980s, preventing it from acquiring foreign military technology and weapons; leaving its military outdated in many respects.in 2016, and is meagre compared to Saudi Arabia’s defence spending which is considered one of the largest in the world at $69.4 billion in 2018. To this end, Iran’s defence technology is a step behind other states.
But Iran realises that hard deterrents aren’t enough to win wars. The IRGC has also invested heavily in less expensive platforms that can carry out asymmetrical warfare. Aside from drone warfare, these include the IRGC Navy’s significant fleet of fast strike crafts, which vary in size and can deploy missiles, 107 mm rockets, or anti-ship cruise missiles. They most recently used to great effect in the Gulf tanker escalations between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council .
Saudi Arabia has significantly less warfighting experience. In 1991, both Saudi and Kuwaiti armies struggled and failed to liberate the small Saudi town Khafji of an Iraqi tank group, only winning the battle later with the US support. In the meantime, many have questioned Saudi Arabia’s targeting, reconnaissance and intelligence abilities after the grievous civilian deaths in Sanaa, and the northern regions.With their unique abilities and recently gained warfighting experience, neither country has a significant advantage over the other.
Perhaps most significantly, if a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran were to take place without external factors or involvement, the goal of the war would not be about claiming geography, or changing regimes.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Mike Pompeo heading to Saudi Arabia to 'coordinate' response to Saudi oil attackSecretary of State Mike Pompeo is heading to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the recent attack on Saudi oil facilities that has rattled world markets and left the region on edge.
Baca lebih lajut »
Saudi Arabia says 'We don't know' who attacked its oil sites after U.S. accuses IranThe U.S. has yet to provide evidence to back up claims it was Iran, not Yemen's Houthi movement that was behind an attack on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities.
Baca lebih lajut »
Pompeo heads to Saudi Arabia to discuss 'response' against IranUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will discuss with Riyadh possible retaliation after Washington said it had proof that last week's attacks on Saudi oil sites originated in Iran, a claim Tehran denies.
Baca lebih lajut »
A coalition of the few: U.S. and Saudi Arabia stand alone against IranPresident Trump has alienated key allies by unilaterally pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposing sanctions. Saudi Arabia has already been unable to enlist allies to protect shipping in the region from Iranian attacks.
Baca lebih lajut »
Trump Confirms That It Was Iran Or Some Country Like That Behind Saudi Oil AttacksWASHINGTON—Addressing the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia that took out more than half that nation’s oil production capacity, President Trump told reporters Tuesday the precision-targeted bombings were a major act of aggression by Iran or some country like that. “The primary actor behind the strike on our Saudi allies was definitely Iran or one of those countries in that same part of the world—someplace with a lot of deserts, a lot of Muslims, a lot of guys with beards,” Trump said to members of the White House press corps, adding, “Syria maybe? Jordan?” before his voice dropped off to an inaudible mumble. “The American people can trust we will take swift action against...Qatar? No, that’s not it. We’re pretty sure Saudi Arabia didn’t do it, because why would they? Why would you bomb your own oil refineries? Then again, you never know. You never can tell. What do you guys think?” The president later clarified that the United States would bomb whichever country the Saudis paid it to bomb.
Baca lebih lajut »