Caleb Smith Block 7
Based on the article: Why would Iran raise the stake by attacking Saudi Arabia? It might seem like Iran just randomly made a foolhardy decision without any reason. In fact the attack is based off desperation it appears they are making no money from oil anymore. There currencies value is plummeting and their purchasing power has been cut into half. Iran also knew Saudi Arabia would most likely decide not to attack due to Iran’s population being around 2.5 times larger. Iran is way more equipped to make ariel attacks that Saudi Arabia just wouldn’t be able to handle. Also Saudi Arabia is in the throws of an expensive war in Yemen against the rebel forces. Also Iran know the Donald Trump wouldn’t be gung ho with going to war especially right before his re-election effort. The standoff between Iran and Saudi Arabia shows some similarities to the Cold War as they are fighting each other through different proxies. Iran is in essence doing in the Middle East what Russia is doing by using war to distract it’s people from the rising economic distress. By picking on Saudi Arabia who has a much weaker military it distracts people from the real issues facing the country. The only wild card in this situation is the Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman who is known for being impulsive and has shown the willingness to use any means necessary to get rid of Iranian influence around his country. A war between Iran and Saudi Arabia could cost Saudi Arabia way more then it would cost Iran. Currently Iran is being crushed by sanctions from the US that can’t get much worse which makes it so their attacks of Saudi Arabia is without consequence. At the end of the day I don’t believe that this will start a war in the Middle East, but a second serious attack or a different kind of military strike could propel these two countries into a war with really no winners. The Iranian foreign minister warned that if Iran was attacked they are fully prepared for an all out war. Right now Saudi Arabia is in a dangerous place, because Iran has nothing to lose and they are not scared of Saudi Arabia in anyway shape or form.