Too little, too late on Iran?
Editorials today in the Wall Street Journal and the Jerusalem Post both detect signs of a hardening ot Western resolve to stop Iran from going nuclear. The Post cites inidcations from Germany and France that stiffer penalties are in the offing if Iran doesn't curb its nuclear program, while the Journal points to the "crippling" sanctions the Americans are threatening to raise in the U.N. Security Council.
But the Journal also makes the obvious point that the more the world's democracies drag their feet on Iran, the more likely an Israeli strike becomes.
Israel also looks warily on the Obama Administration's policy of diplomatic pleading with Iran, which comes after six years of failed diplomatic overtures by the European Union and Bush Administration. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's suggestion in July that the U.S. would extend a "defense umbrella" over its allies in the Middle East "once [Iranians] have a nuclear weapon" may have been a slip of the lip. But Israelis can be forgiven for wondering if the U.S. would sooner accept a nuclear Iran as a fait accompli than do whatever is necessary to stop it.
It's no wonder, then, that the Israeli military has been intensively—and very publicly—war-gaming attack scenarios on Iran's nuclear installations. This has included sending warships through the Suez Canal (with Egypt's blessing), testing its Arrow antiballistic missile systems and conducting nation-wide emergency drills. U.S. and Israeli military officials we've spoken to are confident an Israeli strike could deal a significant blow to Iran's programs, even if some elements would survive. The longer Israel waits, however, the more steps Iran can take to protect its installations.
The consequences of an Israeli attack are impossible to predict, but there is no doubt they would implicate U.S. interests throughout the Middle East. Iran would accuse the U.S. of complicity, whether or not the U.S. gave its assent to an attack. Iran could also attack U.S. targets, drawing America into a larger Mideast war.
Short of an Islamist revolution in Pakistan, an Israeli strike on Iran would be the most dangerous foreign policy issue President Obama could face, throwing all his diplomatic ambitions into a cocked hat. Yet in its first seven months, the Administration has spent more diplomatic effort warning Israel not to strike than it has rallying the world to stop Iran.
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So what do you suggest? Should the government of Israel sit with its thumbs up its ass while Iran wipes it off the face of the earth?
It is simple and very easy to understand for everyone that no matter how Israel react to Iran by militarily ? To attack on Iran by Israel meant to destroy Israel . Does Israel know that Iran is a nuclear armed nation ? If not, It will be unprecedented sad history for Israel, ever imagine. This time is not Irak or Syria. It is Iran that has brought different kind of tactical nuclear weapon from former Soviet’s republic.
To attack on Iran by Israel is like a goat is wakening a sleeping Tiger. Israel should think million times to throw even a single stone on Iranian soil. Mr prime minister and president of Israel must stop playing with fire or bring miserable days for Israeli people or let Israeli people live with peace. The world must stop barking and come to point of reality that Iran is not a dog biting nation. it is one of the oldest civilization and had no record to ply as dog biter or invaded other nation. So the authority of Israel should think that it is not time of barking but it is a time to talk about peace, talk about how to live with a nuclear armed Iran by forgetting the past . The British empire is gone and time is changing and look how the jews living with dignity in Iran not like the muslim living in their own country in Israel with second class citizen.
Israel, Iran and Obama-Conflict is inevitable unless the West moves quickly to stop a nuclear Tehran.
http://calevbenyefuneh.blogspot.com/2009/08/israel-iran-and-obama.html#links
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Marty Arnold
08/31/09 06:21 PM
In modern history there have been really dumb things that governments have done in the name of foreign policy… Israel attacking Iran would without question rank at the very top of the absolutely dumbest most ignorant thing any government has ever done to screw up any chance of peace in the future…
We should try very hard to THINK & when thinking please someone tell me when the last time Iran EVER invaded another country in modern history… While thinking lets also remember that until the revolution hundreds of thousands of Jews lived in Iran & lived very well..... While still thinking we should also see that the young people of Iran are as down on the Muslim fanatic’s as the rest of the world is & the LAST thing the vast majority of the regular people in Iran want is a war with anyone!!!!!!!
I think it is really way past the time that the present government in Israel be kicked out on it’s behind & replaced with one that can & does think about the future & not just about hearing themselves talk… This government run by fear mongers & war seekers needs to sit back & take a real look at the world around them & understand that yes they can bomb Iran today but bombing Iran is like arguing with your wife, you might scream more, yell more, rant 7 rave more & win the debate today, BUT trust me you will lose that war the first chance your wife has to play “gottcha”......