Islamic jihadicals take over Libya airport, 11 jetliners now missing

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Bush didn't invade Iraq? I'm sure that you can tell us who did? Inquiring minds want to know.

I think it's abundantly clear that US foreign policy in the middle-east from 2001 onwards is what has resulted in the massive instability in the middle east. It's insane.

[JohnR! 5,495]

In order to reach a target in Europe they'd have to enter Eurocontrol airspace first, which is highly unlikely without the required element of surprise. Remember that

since MH370 every potential target around the world has been on high alert to air intrusions.

I wouldn't put it past someone trying it but making it to the target will be more difficult, especially when chances are someone will be at the door to greet them.

Hmm.. Fully loaded they can go 6000-7000 miles depending on the model... But they would like to have as full of fuel tank as possible so right the US is not likely. The UK would be their next favorite target but hey would have a hard time getting a plane there without it being detected as they would have to fly across the continent or a much longer flight over water.

Closer targets: Israel, Greece, Italy, France, Spain.

Spain pretty much just shriveled up into the fetal position after the 2004 bombings so no need to strike a subdued target.. What would make news in Greece if it were hit? Not a lot comparatively.. Someone suggested the Vatican and that would be big news... CNN ran a story earlier today that ISIS was targeting the Pope so I'd put that on the table. They could go for a big museum in France - they have shown they like to destroy non-Arab/Muslim art and destroying the Louvre would get them tons of attention. That seems a bit of a stretch to get that deep into France without being shot down.

They could get really inventive and crash it into say a large cruise ship, a nuclear power plant, or an airport, or EU parliament..

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

In order to reach a target in Europe they'd have to enter Eurocontrol airspace first, which is highly unlikely without the required element of surprise. Remember that

since MH370 every potential target around the world has been on high alert to air intrusions.

I wouldn't put it past someone trying it but making it to the target will be more difficult, especially when chances are someone will be at the door to greet them.

Agreed, no element of surprise makes any EU target very risky.. Assuming they take off, head directly out to the Mediterranean sea, fly as low as they dare, and push it full speed (around 560 MPH) when will they first be spotted and how long does it take to get a fighter plane in the air and intercept the plane? Assuming the Europeans don't shoot it down with a ground based missile.

I would like to think knowing the issue they are watching and will know 10 seconds after it leaves the runway..

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

I think it's abundantly clear that US foreign policy in the middle-east from 2001 onwards is what has resulted in the massive instability in the middle east. It's insane.

I dare to claim that the middle east was not stable before 2001 and was not on a good trajectory at that time or before.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Those planes might be more useful in Iraq. I wonder how anyone manages to hide an A-330 and A-340! It is a f*** up world out there...

Agreed, no element of surprise makes any EU target very risky.. Assuming they take off, head directly out to the Mediterranean sea, fly as low as they dare, and push it full speed (around 560 MPH) when will they first be spotted and how long does it take to get a fighter plane in the air and intercept the plane? Assuming the Europeans don't shoot it down with a ground based missile.

I would like to think knowing the issue they are watching and will know 10 seconds after it leaves the runway..

I would agree with this. The ME started to come apart the moment the imperial powers drew lines on a map and partitioned it into countries.

I dare to claim that the middle east was not stable before 2001 and was not on a good trajectory at that time or before.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Bush didn't invade Iraq? I'm sure that you can tell us who did? Inquiring minds want to know.

See I can tell the future

[decocker 7,198]

See I can tell the future

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I dare to claim that the middle east was not stable before 2001 and was not on a good trajectory at that time or before.

It wasn't - after all the US and the UK are responsible for both the establishment of the State of Israel and the Iranian Revolution.

[GBCW 397]

Tel Aviv would not be an option. The IDF would shoot an inbound airliner down well before it became a threat to life.

The Vatican is a potential target, if only for its religious significance.

re tel aviv: mistakes happen.

re the vatican: yes. isis is a religious organization, dedicated to religious war. the vatican makes a lot of sense. remember the role of the papacy in the crusades and take note of how often isis/aq et al make mention of the crusades in their propaganda.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

re tel aviv: mistakes happen.

re the vatican: yes. isis is a religious organization, dedicated to religious war. the vatican makes a lot of sense. remember the role of the papacy in the crusades and take note of how often isis/aq et al make mention of the crusades in their propaganda.

I know the crusades were a long time go.

Was that Bush's fault also.. Just to be clear ?

[GandD 5,966]

It wasn't - after all the US and the UK are responsible for both the establishment of the State of Israel and the Iranian Revolution.

If it wasn't that, it would be something else most likely. They have an unfortunate mix of corruption and religion IMO.

[GBCW 397]

I know the crusades were a long time go.

Was that Bush's fault also.. Just to be clear ?

no, that war was imposed on islam by all of christendom.

they have yet to forget.

or forgive.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If it wasn't that, it would be something else most likely. They have an unfortunate mix of corruption and religion IMO.

That's to do with the history of the region - countries that have been a football for various imperial powers throughout history. We're not talking about just the middle east - but most of Africa as well. It's not an environment that lends itself to a positive outcome.

[GandD 5,966]

That's to do with the history of the region - countries that have been a football for various imperial powers throughout history. We're not talking about just the middle east - but most of Africa as well. It's not an environment that lends itself to a positive outcome.

Well, in the beginning, they WERE the imperial powers. And its not like they get a free pass for not playing the game better to keep pace with the Europeans. They had a much earlier start. ####### happens, I know, civilizations fail, blah blah.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Well, in the beginning, they WERE the imperial powers. And its not like they get a free pass for not playing the game better to keep pace with the Europeans. They had a much earlier start. ####### happens, I know, civilizations fail, blah blah.

Good point but you forget rule #1 is that if there is not an anti-US slant or at least and anti-western slant it doesn't count.