Scary Anti-Iran Talk Is Escalating -- And Weapons May Be Moving Into Position for Attack

[unhappycamper]

Scary Anti-Iran Talk Is Escalating -- And Weapons May Be Moving Into Position for Attack
By Conn Hallinan

July 12, 2010 | Crazy talk about the Middle East seems to be escalating, backed up by some pretty ominous military deployments. We'll start with the department of scary statements:

First up, Shabtai Shavit, former chief of the Israeli spy agency Mossad, speaking June 21 at Bar Ilan University, Tel Aviv on why Israel should launch a pre-emptive strike at Iran: “I am of the opinion that, since there is an ongoing war, since the threat is permanent, since the intention of the enemy in this case is to annihilate you, the right doctrine is one of presumption and not retaliation.”

Second up, Uzi Arad, Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security advisor, speaking before the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem June 22 on his belief that the “international community” would support an Israeli strike at Iran: “I don’t see anyone who questions the legality of this or the legitimacy.”

Third up, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi speaking to reporters at the G-8 meeting in Toronto June 26: “Iran is not guaranteeing a peaceful production of nuclear power the members of the G-8 are worried and believe absolutely that Israel will probably react preemptively.”

Fourth up, Central Intelligence Director Leon Panetta predicting on ABC’s “This Week” program June 27 that Iran could have two nuclear weapons by 2012: “We think they (Iran) have enough low-enriched uranium for two weapons…and while there is continuing debate (within Iran) right now about whether or not they ought to proceed with a bomb…they clearly are developing their nuclear capacity.” He went on to say that the U.S. is sharing intelligence with Israelis and that Tel Aviv is “willing to give us the room to be able to try to change Iran diplomatically and culturally and politically.”



unhappycamper comment: Gee whiz, Leon. It sure is nice that "Tel Aviv is “willing to give us the room to be able to try to change Iran diplomatically and culturally and politically.”

[leveymg]

1. Interesting choice of words by Leon. Acknowledges there's an overactive tail wagging problem.

The problem is that the more pressure we put on Tehran, the more hardened in place the hardliners become. Regime change ain't gonna work with that crowd. The threats and sanctions are just making the situation more dangerous.

[abluelady]

2. If You're Really Interested in Iran

You should read Robert Baer's book, "The Devil We Know." It is a fascinating picture of Iran. Baer was a CIA agent in the mid-east for many years. His book tells me that Iran doesn't need "the bomb" because of its know how to take over various countries in the mid-east that are mostly Shia populations. His picture of the mid-east is very different than the one we are being bombarded with. I wonder who is correct.:shrug:

[cali]

3. woot. the ten thousandth or so post proclaiming that we're on the verge

of attacking Iran.

Yawn.

[Ozymanithrax]

4. You forgot, Russia: Iran closer to creating nuclear weapons

So even the Russians are on board with the "threat."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38203762/ns/world_news-europe/

MOSCOW — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gave the strongest sign yet on Monday that Moscow is moving closer to the West's stance on Iran, saying it was clear Tehran was gaining the ability to build a nuclear bomb.

Medvedev's comments were the starkest criticism of Iran's nuclear program to emerge from the Kremlin under Medvedev or his predecessor Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and signal that Moscow may be losing patience after years of a soft line toward Tehran.

"It is obvious that Iran is moving closer to possessing the potential which in principle could be used for the creation of nuclear weapons," Medvedev told a biannual meeting of Russia's ambassadors in Moscow.


"Iran is not acting in the best way," Medvedev said. He called on Tehran to "show openness and cooperate" with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

[arcane1]

5. "moving closer to possessing the potential which in principle could be used..."

"moving closer to possessing the potential which in principle could be used for the creation of nuclear weapons"

Reminds me of "weapons of mass destruction related program activities"

[Ozymanithrax]

6. Yes, it is intersting language, but all following the same theme. n/t