Why is the US delaying an attack on Iran?

Mr. Trump said "We are locked and loaded," but after almost a week, the US has not replied militarily to Iran's supposed attack on Saudi Arabia. Is Trump reluctant to pull the trigger?

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quitwhendone · M

Saudi Arabia is more than capable of defending herself. The Saudis defense expenditures are higher than all other nations except the U.S. and China.

Mugin16 · 46-50, M

@quitwhendone You don't win war by buying expensive weapons.

quitwhendone · M

@Mugin16 Very true. But they spend money on many of the little things that help a military win. They put money and resources into training and intelligence too.

Mugin16 · 46-50, M

@quitwhendone But their soldiers and officers are not good. The best weapon system is useless when the people "operating" it are not up to the task. Saudi Arabia has the third biggest defence spending in the world and it still needs the U.S. to defend it. That tells you everything you need to know.

quitwhendone · M

@Mugin16 I think they are quite capable. They get a lot of US training. They just don't want to spill Saudi blood. They aren't doing so well in their incursion into Yemen but I think they'd do well defending their homeland.

I think their pilots would do well in combat against Iran. Saudi planes and pilots have flown in formation with US and Coalition air forces in Operation Inherent Resolve and acquited themselves well.

I don't think the Saudis lack the ability to fight; I think they lack the desire to fight unless they are challenged on their own soil. Now, I admit, I am not an expert. My opinion is formulated from published information about the structure, philosophy, and inventory of their military, expert analyses of their performance in battle and published news reports about their military and it's recent actions.