Israel Prodding U.S. To Attack Iran

[Scurrilous]

Bush Administration Weighs Striking Iran's Nuclear Complex, Which Could Trigger 3rd War In Region

<snip>

"Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen leaves Tuesday night on an overseas trip that will take him to Israel, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin. The trip has been scheduled for some time but U.S. officials say it comes just as the Israelis are mounting a full court press to get the Bush administration to strike Iran's nuclear complex.

CBS consultant Michael Oren says Israel doesn't want to wait for a new administration.

"The Israelis have been assured by the Bush administration that the Bush administration will not allow Iran to nuclearize," Oren said. "Israelis are uncertain about what would be the policies of the next administration vis-à-vis Iran."

Israel's message is simple: If you don't, we will. Israel held a dress rehearsal for a strike earlier this month, but military analysts say Israel can not do it alone.

"Keep in mind that Israel does not have strategic bombers," Oren said. "The Israeli Air Force is not the American Air Force. Israel can not eliminate Iran's nuclear program."

The U.S. with its stealth bombers and cruise missiles has a much greater capability. Vice President Cheney is said to favor a strike, but both Mullen and Defense Secretary Gates are opposed to an attack which could touch off a third war in the region."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/24/eveningnews/main4206201.shtml

[azurnoir]

1. If this is indeed Israel's message

Israel's message is simple: If you don't, we will. Israel held a dress rehearsal for a strike earlier this month, but military analysts say Israel can not do it alone.

America's answer should be even simpler-"be our guest", however the sad fact(s) are it won't be not until after the election anyway, and an Israeli attack could put our troops in Iraq in even greater peril than they already are

[oldskool]

2. I would comment but tired of being called anti-semetic

Even though the truth is there that they black mail our
politicians

[azurnoir]

3. Dear oldskool

They who? AIPAC, Israel, Jews in general? OK we'll eliminate that last one for now, but when it comes to AIPAC they are a lobby group, they lobby for what is ssen as Israeli interests they also are an umbrella organization for many other Jewish groups that contribute money to various political candidates. Do they blackmail our politicians, I doubt it. The current terra, terra, fear,fear that the GOP is trying to reinforce and the media who have found a better ratings grabber than peace do commit a form of blackmail in contributing to the "your for us or against us" atmosphere that exists.

Now for Israel, no Israel does not blackmail our government either what is happening right now is IMHO a form "unfortunate serendipity" in which Israel and the US (governments) want the same thing to take out Iran for different reasons. On America's side there is oil, more oil, and a bit wounded ego from almost 3 decades ago, on Israels there is fact that Iran reputedly supplies and supports both Hezbollah and Hamas.

[LeftishBrit]

4. Great post!

Israeli RW politicians, like British ones, sometimes *collaborate* with American RW-ers; but that doesn't equate with controlling/ blackmailing the government.

[Name removed]

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[shaayecanaan]

7. They blackmail Israel's politicians far more

the influence AIPAC et al has in America is a fly on an elephant's arse compared to the influence that it has in Israel. The Israeli politician that shows the slightest disdain for the RW chickenhawks in America is immediately confronted with a flood of overseas political donations to his RW opponent.

Most democracies ban political funding from overseas sources but Israel apparently doesnt. The result is a political system that seems to consist of equal parts of graft and corruption.

Just look at how they paid for the 60th birthday celebrations, for instance:-

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/06/30/080630fa_fact_bruck

[Vegasaurus]

5. Why the fear mongering?

There will be no attack on Iran.

We don't even have enough military personnel for Iraq.

This is is just more political posturing and fear mongering.