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The Samson Option (Vanity)
July 19, 2007 | Walvoord

Posted on 07/19/2007 2:47:10 AM PDT by Walvoord

With Iran attempting to acquire a nuclear capability, I'm not as worried that they would fire a slavo of nuclear tipped missiles from Iranian territory over Iraq and Jordan in a first strike against Israel as I am that they would clandestinely provide missiles and warheads to Hezboullah via Syria.

If the missiles were launched from Iranian territory, the entire world would know about it and Iran would pay a terrible price in retribution. Missiles fired from Iran would also give Israel maybe 15 more minutes response time to scramble assets in response.

Nuclear tipped missiles fired from Southern Lebanon, however, would have a much shorter flight time, a shallower trajectory, and have potentially greater accuracy. Nuclear missiles fired from Southern Lebanon would also provide Iran some minimal cover since they could argue that Al Quieda, Pakistan, or someone else was to blame.

Israel is so small geographically that 6, 7, or 8 nuclear explosions on their soil could result in the death of maybe half their population. The resulting chaos would be tremendous. Telecommunications would be severely disrupted. Government command and control would be seriously disrupted. Mobilizing military assets after a strike would be very difficult, particularly when much of your active and reserve personnel are dead and the infrastructure is in chaos.

I can envision, that with Israel being pushed to the brink of destruction by such a strike, that the Syrian army and the Palestinians, and other groups, would be motivated to take an iodine pill, put on a surgical mask, shout "Allah Akbar" and storm into Israel to finish off whatever or whoever is left, despite the danger of residual radiation, because they would claim and believe, that even if they got seriosly sick and died as a result of operating under nuclear fallout, they would believe that they would die a martyer's death and be proud that they gave their lives in the final destruction of Israel.

This brings me to the supposed Samson Option. Israel must certainly be aware of such an existential threat. Therefore, Israel must certainly keep their counterstrike capability spread out as best they can within their confined space. Israel must certainly have a chain of command responsibility worked out to such a degree that someone within the chain of command is always out of area, but within communication. Israel must certainly keep a certain number of nuclear capable aircraft airborne over Israel or the Mediteranean Sea at all times with a refueling aircraft as well. Israel must keep a certain number of naval assets constantly at sea with nuclear tipped cruise missile capability. Israel may even attempt to keep one of their few submarines with nuclear tipped cruise missile capability in the Gulf of Oman as often as they can. Israel must certainly keep their nuclear capable Jericho missiles dispersed.

The Samson Option esintially means, if you take me down, I'm taking as many of you as I can with me.

So what would be acceptible targets under the Samson option? I suppose it would depend on where the attack came from, but if the destruction of Israel is certain, I would guess that any large Arab cities would be potential targets, including cities in countries that may not have even played a role in the destruction of Israel. Damascus and Theran certainly, but maybe even Cairo, Rihyad, and Mecca. With several hundred nuclear weapons available, as many believe Israel posseses, many more Arab cities could become targets as well for the Samson option.

Comments and discussion welcome.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: iran; israel; middleeast; nuclear

1 posted on 07/19/2007 2:47:13 AM PDT by Walvoord
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To: Walvoord

I see this happening soon; especially if Hillary Clinton, Barack Hussein Obama or John Edwards are elected president next year. We can’t afford a dem or RINO (Rudy McRomney)


2 posted on 07/19/2007 3:34:46 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Indianhead Division: Second To None!)
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To: Walvoord

I’d be more worried about Amadinijahd getting this technology to Chavez


3 posted on 07/19/2007 3:39:47 AM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Walvoord
If the missiles were launched from Iranian territory, the entire world would know about it and Iran would pay a terrible price in retribution. Missiles fired from Iran would also give Israel maybe 15 more minutes response time to scramble assets in response.

Nuclear tipped missiles fired from Southern Lebanon, however, would have a much shorter flight time

Iran bears ultimate responsibility for anything launched from Southern Lebanon because this is Hizbollah territory. Israel will hit Iran. The must hit Qom, the Shiite holy city, then hit Iran's nuclear program. After that select military and economic targets. Petroleum targets

If the Israelis then get attacked by Sunni Muslims then Mecca Medina need to be obliterated to obliterate Islam once and for all and its demonic lock on the Arab mind

At the same time all Muzz shit gets bulldozed off Mount Moriah and the Jewish Temple is reborn.

4 posted on 07/19/2007 3:49:23 AM PDT by dennisw
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To: dennisw

You big softy. If Israel gets attacked with a nuke they should immediately bomb all Islamic “holy cities”, regardless of affiliation (and with the obvious exception of Jerusalem, which as you say should be extensively remodelled).

The Sunnis would be cheering a Shiite attack - let them suffer for it.


5 posted on 07/19/2007 4:10:53 AM PDT by agere_contra
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To: dennisw

Damascus
Teheran
Mecca
Medina

That’s a good start.


6 posted on 07/19/2007 4:13:41 AM PDT by Terabitten (Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets - E-Frat '94. Unity and Pride!)
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To: Walvoord

IIRC Iran launching a slavo of missiles is mentioned in the Bilbe.


7 posted on 07/19/2007 4:14:12 AM PDT by DainBramage
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To: agere_contra

Look for Russia and the US to step in if Israel tries the Samson option. Non the less if Israel gets a few nukes then all Muslim holy cites must be turned to glass. This must be the first move. Then other Persian and Arab targets are wasted


8 posted on 07/19/2007 6:03:18 AM PDT by dennisw
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To: Walvoord
"The Samson Option" is discussed extensively in The Last Jihad by Joel C. Rosenberg. The first of a series of good reads which includes The Ezekiel Option, (the path Israel ultimately follows in the story).
9 posted on 07/19/2007 8:02:23 AM PDT by Drumbo ("Democracy can withstand anything but democrats." - Jubal Harshaw (Robert A. Heinlein))
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To: Walvoord
All I can do is hope that Israel has sufficient nukes and delivery systems to do the proper job.
Each muslim Capital will require at least 5 nukes and the "Unholy" muslim sites an equal number.

Thatsa lot of nukes, depending on which way the wind is blowing.

Unless Israel does something really stupid (Like Peres pissing off all the world's Christians) I don't see any effective action by the American leadership to prevent the appropriate response.

10 posted on 07/19/2007 9:21:15 AM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: Walvoord
I believe that in the reality of a nuked Israel, it matters little where the first missile (if missile it be) came from.

Israel should make it known that if Israel is nuked, everybody gets nuked. Make a list and make it public. Public outcry be damned.

11 posted on 07/19/2007 6:44:29 PM PDT by etcetera (“A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity.” Sigmund Freud)
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To: DainBramage
“IIRC Iran launching a slavo of missiles is mentioned in the Bible.”

Could you please provide book, chapter, and verse? I’m interested to read it. I’m aware my original post reads “Armageddonish.”

12 posted on 07/19/2007 10:29:38 PM PDT by Walvoord
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To: Publius6961

“All I can do is hope that Israel has sufficient nukes and delivery systems to do the proper job.”

That’s what worries me. Israel is so small that any nuke attack would be devastating. I worry that they may not be able to respond sufficiently. Dispersal of assets and command and control are key here.


13 posted on 07/19/2007 10:34:44 PM PDT by Walvoord
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To: dennisw

Samson option? Watch for most of Israel to come to America - Ft. Lauderdale and thereabouts, then get back to me on the SO.


14 posted on 07/19/2007 10:50:31 PM PDT by txhurl
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To: txflake

Way


15 posted on 07/19/2007 11:57:29 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: Walvoord
You wrote this:

I'm not as worried that they would fire a slavo of nuclear tipped missiles from Iranian territory over Iraq and Jordan in a first strike against Israel

In a fit of bad humor I wrote this:

IIRC Iran launching a slavo of missiles is mentioned in the Bilbe.

I know it was a stretch.

16 posted on 07/20/2007 3:59:45 AM PDT by DainBramage
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