Obama: Prefers diplomacy with Iran

[maddezmom]

President Obama says the U.S. government has a “very good estimate” of how far along Iran is in its effort toward building a nuclear weapon, but he warned that aspects of the Iranian regime remain a puzzle.

“Do we know all of the dynamics inside of Iran? Absolutely not,” Obama said in an interview with NBC’s Today show that aired Monday. “Iran itself is a lot more divided now than it was. Knowing who is making decisions at any given time inside of Iran is tough.”

In the interview that was taped a day earlier, Obama said he preferred a diplomatic solution, but also made clear that the United States is in lockstep with Israel, which has grown impatient and is reportedly considering a military strike against Iran to stop the purported nuclear program.

Obama, who has had a strained relationship with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says the U.S. and Israel “have closer military and intelligence consultation … than we ever have had.” He wouldn’t say if Israel has agreed to forewarn the White House if it ultimately decides to strike against Iran.

more:http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2012/02/06/obama-prefers-diplomacy-with-iran/

[xtraxritical]

1. Let Irael take care of itself

another war for the US? WTF?

[sarcasmo]

2. He has to win the next election. If it were a Republican President we would

already be at war with Iran.

[Occulus]

3. "Israel, which has grown impatient and is reportedly considering a military strike"

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

8. Being impatient is NOT a virtue, it's a defect.

[DUIC]

4. Well Reasoned Response

Continue with sanctions Mr President. Hopefully, that will be enough to deter Iran from seeking nuclear weapons.

[iandhr]

5. Prefers diplomacy but all options are on the table. Said by both Obama and Bush

Bush did not strike Iran. Obama has be able to get more severe sanctions but has not attack. Saber rattling by Israel but no bombing. Same rhetoric same policy since the mid 2000s. Call me when there is something new.

[stockholmer]

6. Barack Obama says US and Israel 'in lockstep' on Iran

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9063009/Barack-Obama-says-US-and-Israel-in-lockstep-on-Iran.html


Mr Obama said Iran was “feeling the pinch” of ever tougher sanctions imposed by the international community, and dismissed concerns that Tehran could retaliate by striking US soil.


“My number one priority continues to be the security of the United States. But also, the security of Israel. And we’re going to make sure that we work in lockstep, as we proceed to try to solve this – hopefully diplomatically,” he said.


"I don't think that Israel has made a decision on what they need to do," Mr Obama said during a pre-Super Bowl interview with NBC television.


He reiterated that the United States has removed no option from consideration in dealing with Iran - an allusion to military intervention - but emphasized that the United States wants a diplomatic solution built around a world coalition.


A senior commander of the Revolutionary Guard warned on Sunday that Iran will retaliate against any country involved in an attack against it.

snip

[indepat]

7. With so many seeming to want to give war a chance on the slightest whim,

speaking of diplomacy has a most comforting and reassuring ring.

[kenfrequed]

9. The best strategy with Iran

Leave them alone.


The more we wail and moan and futz with them, the more the hardline mullahs use this as a sign that their country is under seige by the west. If we were quiet and supportive we would accomplish a hell of a lot more than the continual sabre rattling.

[yurbud]

10. Is Israel really the tail wagging the dog?

I know Mersheimer and Walt stirred up a good discussion on this a few years back, but I still wonder: can a small country with a small minority in America that lobbies for them really sway the world's sole superpower?

I can think of things that much larger numbers of us want that never happen (like ending wars, impeaching Bush & Cheney, getting single payer health care or at least a public option, prosecuting Wall Street, and on and on).

Or is it that Israel is a useful surrogate in an increasingly threadbare good cop/bad cop shtick?