Posted on 04/07/2010 9:34:30 AM PDT by Strategy
Israel will be compelled to attack Iran's nuclear weapons facilities by this November unless the U.S. and its allies enact "crippling sanctions that will undermine the regime in Tehran," former deputy defense minister Brig. Gen. Ephraim Sneh said on Wednesday in Tel Aviv.
The sanctions currently being discussed with Russia, China, and other major powers at the United Nations are likely to be a slightly-enhanced version of the U.N. sanctions already in place, which have had no impact on the Iranian regime.
And despite unanimous passage of the Iran Petroleum Sanctions act in January, the Obama administration continues to resist efforts by Congress to impose mandatory sanctions on companies selling refined petroleum products to Iran.
In an Op-Ed in the Israeli left-wing daily, Haaretz, Sneh argues that Iran will probably have "a nuclear bomb or two" by 2011.
"An Israeli military campaign against Iran's nuclear installations is likely to cripple that country's nuclear project for a number of years. The retaliation against Israel would be painful, but bearable."
Sneh believes that the "acquisition of nuclear weapons by Iran during Obama's term would do him a great deal of political damage," but that the damage to Obama resulting from an Israeli strike on Iran "would be devastating."
Nevertheless, he writes, "for practical reasons, in the absence of genuine sanctions, Israel will not be able to wait until the end of next winter, which means it would have to act around the congressional elections in November, thereby sealing Obama's fate as president."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
I don’t see a downside.
I place little faith in ex-government officials stating what the current administration should do. (I remember Madeleine Albrecht on the TV constantly telling Bush what to do.) This guy is either trying to make a buck, or is writing a note with Netanyahou’s blessing. It does not make sense to telegraph your intentions; rather, I think Israel is sending a message to America: get tough with Iran or you will face a problem at the gasoline pump.
What they are basically saying is that the Predident of the US is useless in the situation. He has no idea what to do and if he did do something, it would be wrong and on the side of the muslims.
Yeah, the guy may well be a gasbag. Still....Israel is finding out that it can’t depend on cooperation from the US., and I can imagine there are many who are frustrated with our current administration’s weakness. I would love to see Israel rain a world of hurt on Iran. In addition to getting rid of this menace once and for all, it would really show the incompetence and arrogance of Obama. This administration needs a good comeuppance.
Or he may still be working loyally for his state and getting the message out through ‘unofficial’ channels.
I think the, “Israel plans on attacking Iran by X Date” headline is getting old. Personally, it's about the fourth or fifth time I've seen it in the past 18 to 24 months.
But that might mean “Wah.” Amd 0-bummer and his progressives hate “wah.” Unless it’s “wah” against the will of the Ameruican people.
Sorry for the typos. Will review better next time.
My sentiment exactly ... it seems this Israel will attack Iran is wasting FR band width.
I agree with this.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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I sure hope they mean it. Cause its about time.
Let’s suppose the US wants Israel to attack Iran but wants to shield itself from any blame due to its close ties to Israel.
Therefore, it pretends to have a public falling out with Israel and appears to turn its back on that country.
Israel attacks Iran and the Muslim world is, of course, outraged. Also, condemnation comes from all over the world.
Given its pretense, the US has to join in the condemnation. That leaves Israel totally isolated, but with “secret” allies in the US and anyone wishing to curry favor with the US.
What do you think? Does it fit any scenario you have imagined?
For the record, it was reported in recent time that royal Dutch Shell had ceased exporting refined petroleum products to Iran. The question is has not the noose already been tightened by pressure on the companies but no loud noise sanctions?
==>”He has no idea what to do and if he did do something, it would be wrong and on the side of the muslims.”<==
This is the most believable and frightening part. Israel would certainly need to commit virtually every air asset to such a raid, leaving itself defenseless DURING the raid. And American intelligence assets would certainly know within minutes if such a raid were launched - and the phone call from the White House to Iran would almost certainly follow within an even shorter time.
With advance warning, Iran would destroy the IAF, leaving permanently defenseless, with the US able to demand virtually ANY concessions to establish the Obama version of “Middle-East Peace In Our Time.”
Now convince me that I am wrong... PLEASE!
It would be in their best interest to time the attack so as to do as much damage as they can to the career of a certain person currently posing as the American president and enemy of their state.
“Now convince me that I am wrong... PLEASE!” I wish I could, but you are correct. It’s also my understanding the United States holds the codes to launch nuclear weapons, from Israel, which they would not give to Israel. I don’t know what opptions Isreal has but they best decide fairly soon.
Why Wait?
“Let’s suppose the US wants Israel to attack Iran but wants to shield itself from any blame due to its close ties to Israel.”
The latter part of your speculation is pretty much a given. The weenie in the WH deflects blame/criticism all the time by pointing his fingers at others. Why would any sensible person expect him to man up and suddenly take responsibility for the bold actions sometimes required to face down international thugs?
The only residual question is whether he wants Israel to take action. Hard to say, but it’s a fair bet they wouldn’t want this strike occurring just before the election, since that might well remind voters of the failure in U.S. leadership that forced Israel to take action.
I think what’s new in this story is the explicit tie to the November elections. That in essence is a veiled threat to Obama to support the Israeli action behind the scenes or else be left out of the decision-making when it comes to timing. It’s going to be a little dicey planning this operation if the Israelis essentially have no idea whether to expect to be given unimpeded flyover rights across Iraq. It’s not like they get a do-over if they guess wrong about this.
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