Israel launches 'Iran Command' for war

[spanone]

Israel has reportedly started to set up an 'Iran Command' within its air force as part of preparations for a possible war against Iran.

According to reports by unnamed Israeli military sources, the regime's air force has launched 'Iran Command' to coordinate operations to 'confront the growing threat from Tehran

The command's operations are aimed at improving coordination among Israeli ballistic missiles and air and missile brigades which deploy the Arrow and Patriot missile systems.

The report comes amid ramped up Israeli rhetoric against Tehran over the country's nuclear program.

Earlier this week, Israeli deputy prime minister Shaoul Mofaz accused Iran of running a nuclear weapons program and threatened to launch a military strike on Iran with the help of

US if Tehran continues with its nuclear program.

http://aljazeera.com/news/newsfull.php?newid=128445

[redqueen]

1. "with the help of US"

This is impossible... they have to consult congress... congress didn't give them permission to use military force... not this time.

Wait... what does Kyl Lieberman say again?

[global1]

6. If Israel Hits Iran First And Then Iran Retaliates By Hitting Israel.....

the U.S. will come to their aid because we are allies. This backs Obama in a corner because he indicated that he would protect Israel. U.S. gets drawn into this war. McCain - will then be in a position to capitalize on this indicating that Obama is not experienced to handle this war and doesn't understand what's at stake. McCain will take the incumbent position and win the GE because the American public will be asked to rally around this effort.

It sure looks like *Co is orchestrating this scenario - but Scotty's book and the latest report that we were lied into the Iraq war by *Co has caused them to lose credibility with the American people and they couldn't launch into an attack on Iran on their own without all kinds of backlash. So their only alternative is to use Israel to light the spark and then plead that we were only protecting our allies.

It also puts the military in a position to have to back it as well. Right now I believe the military is not on board because of their being squeezed by Afghanistan and Iraq. But if we have to jump in this fight to protect Israel - they will have to be on board as well.

[spanone]

9. i don't think they give one shit about the american people,,,this is about republican rule forever

[lovuian]

2. Our troops aren't going to do it Its going to have to be Israel

God help Israeli people and America and the Mid East we have mad men at the helm

[spanone]

3. air strikes....

[Indenturedebtor]

7. Well said. They need to boot Olmert immediately!

And we have our own facist pigs over here that need to f off as well. The world has gone mad!

[LeftishBrit]

22. Agreed - and replace him by someone semi-reasonable...

i.e. NOT Netanyahu.

The world will be safer when Bush and Cheney go. Well, at least if you have sense not to replace him with McNut.

Although Brown is just as bad as Blair on British domestic policy, I think he'd be less of a 'poodle' to Bush et al, and less likely to help in a headlong rush to war.

[bdamomma]

11. I am sure the Israeli people are not going to prop up Olmert.

where are the charges against him???

[Indenturedebtor]

23. Same stuff as what our Admin is guilty of - corruption

He's an Israeli neo-con. Unfortunately this sort of thing takes time.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. "Growing threat" based on speculation and fear, not military planning and evidence.

[spanone]

8. sounds like military planning to me

[no_hypocrisy]

10. I would concede up to a point.

Military leaders who have professional training in prosecuting warfare understand the risks and need particular facts that are close to indisputable. Risking soldiers lives is always paramount as well as innocent civilians. This particular action is a fool's game as far as long term goals for Israel's survival.

[EFerrari]

27. The only growing threat is the political one Olmert has on his hands

and the one US Republicans are trying to distract from this election cycle.

[Stephanie]

5. Are they going to let Israel start the war and then we swoop in to "help" them?

Is that the idea?

[bdamomma]

16. and of course our allegiances to Israel and to AIPAC

we will come running to rescue Israel, Israel has nukes and Iran does not, and we will of course supply Israel with our weapons, and that will be checkmate right there, cause the whole speculation was if Bush was going to start something Biden would start impeachment hearings, but this sounds so much like these thugs, and Cheney is at the helm of getting what he wants, and the right wing crazies will be praising for the rapture.

[bdamomma]

12. I don't see any mention of your article here.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/55ABE840-AC30-41D2-BDC9-06BBE2A36665.htm

[spanone]

17. here's another one

http://aljazeera.com/news/newsfull.php?newid=128169

[gatorboy]

13. Where does Israel get its oil?

[spanone]

18. interesting question....here's one story

Israel's Tehran connection

If you've ever wondered about the definition of hypocrisy you'll find the answer right here.

Last month the Swiss foreign minister visited Iran and, together with President Ahmadinejad, attended the signing of a multi-billion euro contract for Iran to supply Switzerland with large amounts of natural gas over the next 25 years.

The US State Department immediately condemned the deal and said it would be investigating whether it breached the Iran Sanctions Act. Israel complained too, describing the Swiss minister's visit to Tehran as an "act unfriendly to Israel". Various Jewish groups also joined in the protests, including the World Jewish Congress.

This righteous indignation was entirely predictable but more than a little odd nevertheless. On March 30, the Swiss newspaper Sonntag retaliated with the revelation that Israel, supposedly observing an ironclad boycott of all things Iranian, has been buying Iranian oil for years.

The story is in German but Israeli journalist Shraga Elam has provided me with a translation which I'll quote from here.

"Israel imports Iranian oil on a large scale even though contacts with Iran and purchasing of its products are officially boycotted by Israel. Israel gets around the boycott by having the oil delivered via Europe. A reliable Israeli energy newsletter, EnergiaNews, reported this last week ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/apr/04/israelstehranconnection

[bdamomma]

14. I just sent your article with my comments to Senator Biden.

[spanone]

21. thanks, i will do the same

[L0oniX]

15. Patriot missiles? BWAHAHAHAH ...those pieces of shit couldn't hit a barn.

More pork for the corporations that make money from death.

[Sinistrous]

19. Actually, as the antiaircraft system it was designed to be, Patriot

does an excellent job. Only when it is pushed into the task of anti-ballistic missile operations that its performance gets marginal.

[spanone]

20. here's an msnbc article from yesterday....

President on tour of persuasion in Europe about dangers of a nuclear Iran

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - President Bush's weeklong tour through Berlin, Rome, Paris and London appears every bit the glamorous old-style farewell tour with a leisurely schedule, jaunts to country castles and lavish dinners.

But it's actually a high-stakes diplomatic mission, spurred by Bush's fear that Iran is an increasingly urgent threat and that Europe may not take it seriously enough.

Bush has never been popular in Western Europe after the U.S. invasion of Iraq. "A lot of people like America. They may not sometimes necessarily like the president but they like America," Bush told a reporter from Slovenia.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25056472 /

[bdamomma]

24. What does the UN Security Counsel view this whole thing?

[bdamomma]

25. you may find this Q&A information helpful from BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4031603.stm

[spanone]

26. thanks a.d.