This is a dangerous thread, so let's be sure not to post actual political agendas here. If we want to analyze the potential sides of such a war, that might be safe grounds on which to tread without getting the thread closed. Let's try to keep in mind that Camaro5 has members all over the world.
That being said, I've been discussing this situation with a few people. There is a lot of discussion to be had on this issue. I'll run through a scenario based upon realism, a theory of political science based heavily on power and national relationships.
Iran, as we all know, is what many can safely call a rogue state. It routinely violates international agreements and laws, leading to UN sanctions that have been passed and enforced by much of the international community.
Israel, as we all know, is a key strategic partner of the US in the Middle East because it represents the only widely successful western democracy in the region and a key ally in fighting the Soviet Union with its world class spies. Without this espionage, the US would only have nations west of the Iron Curtain as sources of intelligence, making the Cold War much more difficult to end.
For a large list of reasons ranging from religious fanaticism, totalitarianism, terrorism, and culture, Iran does not agree with democracies in general, claiming instead that its government gains its legitimacy from God, allowing the current regime to essentially brush off any wrongdoing as the work of evildoers. A great recent example of this is Iran's claims that the UK and US inspired the protesters inside Iran that opposed the outcome of what the international community has widely recognized as a fraudulent election. In addition to these facts, it is also important to note that Israel, as a statistical minority in the region, has been known to engage in first strike campaigns in order to prevent what happened during the Six Day War that nearly led to Israel's destruction but instead led to the destruction of neighboring armies. This is the basis of the discussion to follow.
The Likely War
Iran attempts to build nukes. Israel blows up the facility where this happens. Iran then launches missiles at Israel. Syria aligns with Iran, sending troops through Lebanon into the Golan Heights. Israel holds down the Syrian military in the mountains, defending its territory. NATO demands that Syria withdraw troops immediately, but no such demand is met. Israel strategically bombs Iran and Syria. NATO eventually sides with Israel to the dismay of the Arabic powers in the region. The war eventually ends when NATO neutralizes the invading forces in Lebanon. Russia and China refuse to participate in the war, but they vehemently oppose NATO's actions, and years of bad relations ensue.
The Possible Expansion of Conflict
Instead of ending with NATO forces crushing inferior Iranian and Syrian militaries, the Russians and Chinese fund and support Iran. Other nations pledging support to the invaders may include Venezuela, Myanmar, and North Korea. US allies Australia, South Korea, and Taiwan enter the conflict, bombing Syria and Iran. The US and other allies inject troops from Iraq into Iran. If Iran falls, before Russia and China send troops, the war ends.
The Gargantuan Conflict
If Iran holds out long enough to get actual military support from Russia and China, then the war gets out of control. I will break down the sides as they will likely play out.
Democracies and Allies
• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Israel
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Japan (political support, not legally allows to have an aggressive military)
• Germany (political support, very few if any troops)
• France (political support, very few if any troops)
• Turkey (very limited involvement)
• Poland (missile bases)
• NATO (except for aforementioned states, obviously)
Rogue States and Aggressors
• Iran
• Syria
• Venezuela
• North Korea
• Russia
• China
• Honduras
In this situation, Israel likely knocks Syria out of the war and engages remaining troops in an aggressive military occupation of southern Lebanon. North Korea invades South Korea, tying down troops already on the peninsula. China funnels massive numbers of troops into North Korea and sends forces to invade Taiwan. The US and other NATO allies sends troops to the area to defend as much of the region as possible. Without the need to avoid a conflict with China as was the case with the Korean War, the US freely bombs all Chinese ports. The US equips Japan with missiles and starts using Japan as a base to defeat Chinese forces. Eventually, NATO evacuates forces from South Korea, sending them to Taiwan and Japan, losing the peninsula completely. Meanwhile, Russia sends forces to defend Iran and occupies former Soviet republics equipped with US arms in order to thwart a ground invasion. NATO holds a firm line against Russia in Europe. Neither side progresses. During this stalemate, a major military campaign begins in Turkey, sending units to support Israel. Syria is defeated quickly with this assistance.
Stalemate Scenario
With Europe looking frighteningly similar to the Europe of the Cold War, South Korea defeated, and Chinese units overwhelming democratic forces, the war looks bleak for the side with oil working against it. At this point, negotiations may begin for a treaty, assuming the aggressors are willing to negotiate. Demands will include the partition of Israel by its neighbors and to keep all land seized during earlier campaigns. The following world order will be much like the Cold War. The UN collapses. Other wars ensue periodically every few years for up to 100 years.
A World Safe for Democracy
Allies, in a stalemate worldwide, have the advantage of technology that outperforms enemies. This allows for a rapid invasion of Venezuela and a seizure of all oil resources there. Allies use these resources and an overwhelming US military budget to eventually cripple individual enemies. Guerrilla war ensues in Iran and China after allied forces manage to take them by ground invasion. Russia voluntarily withdraws from the conflict when its allies begin to fall. China, with weakened industrial capacity and a small internal push for democracy, becomes much friendlier after the war and develops a democratic government.
The Tragic Ending
If OPEC manages to stop enough of the democratic oil supply, undersupplied nations begin to drop out of the war. The EU seeks a treaty to stop fighting with Russia and China, but NATO members still offer support to the US secretly with funds, but China cashes in its portion of the US debt, leading to a collapse of the dollar and the entire US economic system. To crown the enemy with victory, Israel is defeated by Russian units, leading to the end of the war.