NYT columnist: Bibi, don't attack Iran

[Scurrilous]

Roger Cohen says Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities before US elections would 'stymie' Obama; adds 'choosing between US and Iran is a no-brainer'

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4176689,00.html

<snip>

"New York Times columnist Roger Cohen urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from attacking Iran "this spring or summer" if he cares about his "dysfunctional relationship" with US President Barack Obama.

In an article published in the American daily on Monday, Cohen said a US ambassador in Europe was recently asked by an Israeli counterpart what could be done to improve the "lousy relations" between Netanyahu and Obama. He replied: “Every once in a while, say thank you.”

According to the senior columnist, the American ambassador added, “Maybe, once in a while, ask the president if there’s anything you can do for him. And above all stay out of our election-year politics.”

Cohen said the sharp reply "reflects Obama’s fury at several things: the way Netanyahu has gone over his head to a Republican-dominated Congress where he is a darling; Netanyahu’s ingratitude for solid US support, including the veto of an anti-settlements resolution at the United Nations last year and opposition to the unilateral Palestinian pursuit of statehood; the delaying tactics of Netanyahu reflecting his conviction Obama is likely a one-term president; and Netanyahu’s refusal to pause a second time in settlement building for the sake of peace negotiations."

The op-ed states that Netanyahu is "tempted to bomb Iran in the next several months to set back its opaque nuclear program and - despite a call from Obama last Thursday and messages from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta - has declined to reassure the United States that he will not."


Don’t Do It, Bibi

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/opinion/cohen-dont-do-it-bibi.html

[aranthus]

1. I thought this paragraph offered far better reasons for not bombing than merely pissing off Obama.

Here’s the bottom line: an Israeli attack unites Iran in fury, locks in the Islamic Republic for a generation, cements the Syrian regime, radicalizes the Arab world at a moment of delicate transition, ignites Hezbollah on the Lebanese border, boosts Hamas, endangers U.S. troops in the region, sparks terrorism, propels oil skyward, triggers a possible regional war, offers a lifeline to Iran just as Europe is about to stop buying its oil, adds a Persian to the Arab vendetta against Israel, and may at best set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions a couple of years.

[bemildred]

2. And that's if thiings go very well ... nt