Iran could spring a nasty surprise

[CHIMO]

Barack Obama expressed confidence last week that Israel would not attack Iran without first consulting him. "It is unacceptable for Iran to possess nuclear weapons and we are going to do everything we can to prevent that happening," Obama told Israel's Channel 2 television. "I think the relationship between the US and Israel is sufficiently strong that neither of us try to surprise each other."

But Obama left a lot unsaid. He did not say he would oppose or try to block future Israeli air strikes on Iran's nuclear plants – only that he expected to hear about them in advance. And he did not say Washington would refuse to assist or participate, directly or indirectly, in any such attack. The US preferred a diplomatic solution, he said. But then came the familiar mantra: "I assure you I have not taken options off the table."

Conversely, nothing Obama said can remove the possibility that dangerous surprises may be in store, for both Israel and the US, emanating from Iran. The depth and breadth of the confrontation with Tehran on numerous fronts – political, commercial, geographical and physical – is growing exponentially. The situation grows less predictable, and thus more volatile, by the day. It would not take much to spark a full-blown crisis, most probably unplanned.

Like an angry, defiant boxer who is bloodied but unbeaten, the Iranian regime is starting to hit out in all directions. After the UN, US and EU imposed additional punitive sanctions, a scornful President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran's nuclear programme would not be shift one inch. "Those resolutions are only paper. What's going to shape our future is our determination."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/14/iran-israel-us-nuclear

[FiveGoodMen]

1. Translation: "We need a third war!"

Sooner or later, the entire rest of the world is going to band together in defense against the US.

Much like NATO against the Soviet Union.

They'd be fools not to.

[Blackhatjack]

2. Ahmadinejad is not going to strike first ... he knows what that would mean

And he can continue to advance the nuclear program without attacking.

IMHO Israel is the wild card. Netanyahu is a Neo-Con through and through. So when you hear him saying that they want to pursue diplomatic means to prevent escalation of Iran's nuclear program ---that concerns me, because he has said in the past that diplomacy would not work.

[msongs]

3. israelites have a 4000 year history. the record is there for all to see nt

[Blackhatjack]

5. I am not unsympathic to Israel's position, but Netanyahu concerns me ...

Israel has real enemies intent on destroying them. But you can't solve problems diplomatically unless both sides are willing to negotiate.

[tiny elvis]

7. the bible is not history

it does not comport with modern archaeology
one could also say that persia has a worrisome ancient history, but that would sound foolish on its face

[EmeraldCityGrl]

4. This article is pure propaganda.

Another view from a British Think Tank that suggests the long term consequences...

"An Israeli attack on Iran would fail to stop Tehran's alleged nuclear weapons program and would lead to a "long war" that would be marked by economic instability and mass civilian casualties, says a study from British think tank.

In a report (PDF) released Wednesday, the Oxford Research Group stated that, while the likelihood of a US attack on Iran's nuclear program has been lessened by the Obama administration's policies, advances in Israeli military technology have increased the potential for an Israeli attack."

more...http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0714/study-attack-iran-start-long-war/

[Knight Hawk]

6. Has an agenda

That group has an agenda, albeit a good one,to promote world peace.From all I read and hear,a lot,the current Israeli leadership feels that it must do something.It wants to kill 2 or 3 birds with one stone namely Iran,Hizbullah,Syria and Hamas.The meeting last week between Netanyahu and Obama was not good for the prospects for peace .Quite frankly Obama has blinked.Netanyahu and AIPAC have beaten him in the chess match,IMHO.Watch!