Well, budgets etc cannot be used to determine anything. What happened in Iraq was miscalculation and assumptions (or was portrayed) they expected a major danger, chemical warfare all they found was a whole lot of gold, gems etc and oil. Maybe thats what they were after... (Frankly I am in no mood to engage in a useless debate.. so will try to be as political correct as possible).
In this case we are under-estimating Iran, frankly nobody know exactly what they are capable of doing or not doing.
As far as the Su-30MK news that was being speculated. They were about to be purchased in June 2007. Its old news.
Also, these guys may know their terrain better than anybody else which gives them a tactical advantage.. thats how terrorists and rebels continue causing damage even in Iraq. And if I had to give a more well known example i will just ask you to go watch 300!!
Or let me make this more in the context of the profession of most people on this board. There are those who have spent a great deal on their terminals, have the best software, have read all the books, and are willing to SPEND on acquiring the EDGE! But do these guys make money consistently would I say all of them are good traders. I will bet over 80% are not. The majority of the ones who have found the edge, dont really need all that.. they may have it, but they will continue making money regardless if they are using a terminal with a single monitor or a quad setup.
Money cannot buy the edge! The US may have the most advanced flights (not really the SU's are better than the F16's).. they may have better simulations for training... but then again in our profession I see so many people trading on simulation and coming up with strategies where they made money... only to blow their accounts in record times as soon as they go live...
Yes we can debate on these points, but what will we prove... can we make a difference.. hell no! either be ready to put something at risk if you know you are going to be right or just follow the trend (pun intended)...
I'm out... Cheers!!!