Israeli speculation over Iran strike reaches fever pitch
Source: Guardian
In the past few days, the Israeli public has been hit by a blizzard of speculative articles suggesting a military strike against Iran's nuclear sites is imminent.
The talk is now of a timetable of weeks, rather than months and some observers believe that Israel will act in the runup to the US presidential election at a time when it could be difficult and damaging for President Obama to withhold his backing in the face of a hawkish and vehemently pro-Israel opponent, Mitt Romney, who has already indicated his support for unilateral action by the Jewish state.
On Tuesday, an article in Ma'ariv suggested that Netanyahu and Barak have set a deadline of 25 September for Obama to clearly state that the US itself will take military action. The date is the opening of the UN general assembly in New York, and also the eve of Yom Kippur, one of the most significant dates in the Jewish calendar.
<snip>
But it was two articles last Friday that kicked off the current storm. Writing in Israel's biggest-selling daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, Nahum Barnea and Simon Shiffer, both respected commentators, said: "Insofar as it depends on Binyamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak, an Israeli military strike on the nuclear facilities in Iran will take place in these coming autumn months, before the US elections in November."
<snip>
Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/iran-blog/2012/aug/14/israeli-speculation-iran-strike?newsfeed=true
bemildred
(90,061 posts)Do it or shut up.
Jeebus.
Javaman
(62,534 posts)Netanyahu is trying like hell to play the spoiler in our election.
the man is a stooge of the right wing.
he knows full well that if he does anything to Iran, Saudi Arabia will respond and no one wants another Syria.
he's just an old fool.
Lurks Often
(5,455 posts)even friendly, much less allies.
Everything I've read suggests the exact opposite, the the Saudis are worried about the Iranians and have even said, not that it made the US MSM, that they would develop nuclear power/weapons, if the Iranians developed a nuclear weapon. There have even been whispers that if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, that Saudi Arabia will buy a couple from Pakistan.
IF, I repeat IF, Israel strikes Iran, I think publicly the Saudis will complain, but privately they will be relieved.
Javaman
(62,534 posts)The Saudis Warn Israel They Will Shoot Down Any Jets Using Its Airspace For A Strike On Iran
Israel has only a handful of flight paths it can use to bomb Iran's alleged nuclear sites, and one of those is off the table after Saudi Arabia vowed to take down any Israeli jet flying its airspace.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reports the message was passed through senior U.S. officials in Jerusalem and came straight from Riyadh.
The paper also reports that Israeli officials firmly believe the threat is part of an American plan to thwart a lone Israeli strike, and the the U.S. could certainly persuade the Saudis to open their airspace if it chose to do so.
Regardless, military experts have been saying for months an Israeli air strike would be a very elaborate affair involving more than 100 planes, from jets to re-fueling tankers, over 1,000 miles to strike eight Iranian targets.
more at link...
Lurks Often
(5,455 posts)I suspect that was mostly for public consumption and that unofficially the Saudi government would very happy to see Israel take out Iran's nuclear weapons program, presuming one does exist.
Javaman
(62,534 posts)a nation making such a public statement such as that, rarely is bluffing.
it's the middle east after all.
Cheers!
Lurks Often
(5,455 posts)it's always good when two people can disagree politely on DU and not turn it into a pissing contest, it doesn't seem to happen as often as it should.
allan01
(1,950 posts)ever since the shah was diposed, the key word amid the republicans has been, we need to punish iran ( r.r. the 2 shrubs and now r/r .) ( punish , ie war ) we have been at war with somone for 200 years . time to come home and rebuild our country. as somones moniker on here sez, war is a racket . hear hear .
heaven05
(18,124 posts)they need to s... or get off the pot. all this speculation is BS!!!!!! Media driven BS! Did Romney get them going? All this is mighty close to his visit. Did he lie concerning some so-called inside information? Something is rotten here?
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,365 posts)His only policy for Israel is to recognize Jerusalem as the capitol. He'd move the embassy from Tel Aviv.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)I just wonder, that's all.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)The "we'll back you up pledge, no matter how crazy this is or how much it costs us" That's what Bibi is angling for. If Obama give it to them, Israel really can blackmail us for whatever they want.
AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)We know that Robme has promised them a full invasion with regime change and everything.
That's what his trip to Israel was about, obviously.
Obama will have to match his offer, but get them to hold off until after the election.
Of course then he can stiff them.
The Stranger
(11,297 posts). . . so let's do our part to completely fuck up peace and stability in the Middle East.
gordianot
(15,245 posts)No matter how the Obama administration reacts any criticism becomes political interference during an election.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)qwlauren35
(6,150 posts)This is just like Bush's pre-emptive strike on Iraq. I hope all of the nations of the world tell Israel that this is the wrong thing to do.
Response to qwlauren35 (Reply #10)
Post removed
ObelixS
(8 posts)Israel will bomb Iran within 1 month because they do not trust Obama anymore.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)nc4bo
(17,651 posts)I love when people just blow a real ripe one out their ass like that.
Love your .gif btw.
cpwm17
(3,829 posts)It's unlikely. It would be a disaster for Israel, Iran, and possibly the US. Israel isn't that stupid (I hope).