Earlier this week White House spokesman Jay Carney reiterated the administration’s mantra about Iran, saying there was still “time and space” for a diplomatic solution to be found to resolve the impasse over its nuclear threat. While no one, not even the president’s loyalists actually believe there is even the slightest hope for diplomacy or sanctions to work, the White House is publicly clinging to this position since the alternative is unthinkable. By that I don’t refer to how unthinkable it would be for the future of the world for the ayatollahs to get their hands on a nuclear weapon. From the point of view of the administration, what is truly unthinkable is the prospect of being forced to admit that it has been wrong all along about Iran and must change course in order to avoid a catastrophe.
The spectacle of the administration standing by its determination to keep talking with Iran long after Tehran effectively scuttled the P5+1 nuclear talks has to be discouraging to Israel’s government and can, in no small measure, be the reason why the Jewish state seems to be bubbling over with speculation about an attack on Iran sometime before the U.S. presidential election. With even U.S. intelligence now finally admitting that Iran is working on a bomb and with the Islamist regime making it clear it has no interest in agreeing to a compromise agreement on the issue, those trusted with defending Israel’s existence may be rapidly coming to the conclusion that they have no alternative but to strike soon before it is too late. Though foreign policy realists and other Israel critics are denouncing the Israeli threats, the only way to convince Jerusalem to stand down and follow America’s lead is for President Obama to start speaking honestly about the failure of his belated attempt to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear ambition. In the absence of such honesty, there is little reason for Prime Minister Netanyahu to go on waiting until the danger cannot be averted.
Israelis are understandably divided on the wisdom of acting on their own since they, and not the United States, would pay the highest price in terms of casualties and terror attacks that would likely follow a strike on Iran. Everyone, including Netanyahu’s critics and opponents of a unilateral strike, seem to agree that a U.S.-led action would be ideal. But the lack of confidence in the willingness of President Obama to act may leave Netanyahu and his cabinet no choice. Even after the issuing of a new U.S. National Intelligence Estimate that is more realistic about the Iranian threat, the Americans are still acting as if they have all the time in the world to decide to do something about this peril. By contrast, the Israelis know that by next year, the Iranians may have refined more uranium and stored it in underground bunkers that may be impervious to Israel’s attack capabilities.
While reports about Israel telling the U.S. it needs to know by September 25 whether the U.S. will take action are unconfirmed, Netanyahu’s decision must be influenced by his confidence level in Obama’s willingness to take action. Should he wait until after November, it may turn out to be too late to make a difference. Even more worrisome is the notion that a re-elected Obama cannot be relied upon to make good on his promise to stop Iran.
Those who are calling on Israel to lower the temperature on the war talk are addressing their entreaties to the wrong capital. The only way to calm down Israel is for Barack Obama to start speaking the truth about Iran. Since there seems little chance of that happening, expect to hear even more talk of war emanating from Israel in the coming weeks and months.
“Can Obama Admit Iran Diplomacy Failed?” n nCan Obama admit the stimulus failed? n nCan Obama admit he lied about the cost of ObamaCare? n nThe list of rhetorical questions goes on. n nCan Obama even admit he inappropriately criticized police officer James Crowley? n nSo far as I can recall there is only one mistake that Obama has ever admitted: Apparently he admitted that he lied on his BAR application, but even that is sealed so he won’t admit what he lied about. n
Jonathan: you seem to take it for granted that Obama WANTS to stop Iran from getting the bomb. I see no evidence of that. n nObama is pro-Islamic. he likes and sympathizes with Islamic leaders (Erdogan being his BFF), and he dislikes and mistrusts Israeli leaders. in particular he loathes Bibi Netanyahu–partly because Bibi outshines him–and he has no regard for the Jewish state. remember, in his Cairo speech he repeated the lie that Israel only came about because of the Holocaust, seemingly forgetting the 4,000-year Jewish presence in the Holy Land. n nthat Obama can style himself as "Israel's best friend" and "the president who knows the most about" the country is just plain ridiculous. the ONLY chance Bibi has is hitting Iran before Obama is reelected (I believe that since Romney didn't pick Rubio he's probably going to lose). and if Obama IS reelected, Israel is going to be in a world of hurt.
What, and admit that his best buds Tom Friedman and Fareed 'The Plagiarist' Zakaria were wrong, and Netanyahu was right? n nNot going to happen. n nIf Obama remains in power, there will 'still be time for diplomacy' after the first Iranian nuke goes off in Jerusalem. In fact, more time that ever. n nOn the other hand, the man is cynical enough to go against every bone in his body and launch an October surprise against Iran.
The scary alternative is Israel nuking Iran. Most pundits are too busy saying Israel's conventional capabilities are not enough, while completely missing the point. Israel is being threatened with genocide, a threat comfortable western pundits have a hard time understanding. When the chips are down, Israel will do what it has to do, and Obama will have to explain why introducing nuclear combat to the modern world was really worth sticking a thumb in Israel's eye.
So which is scarier? A failed conventional attack, deterrence, or mushrooms? The joys of being Jewish.
Fight your own wars
Hey ham sandwich–we are talking about Israel fighting its own wars—-you don't have to participate, Obama doesn't have to participate–if and when Israel decides to to this you can sit back in your easy chair and watch it on the telly. What a maroon.
Yitzhak is not an ordinary maroon. He is a serious Jew hater who thinks that posting under a Jewish name will — come to think of it, why DOES he post under a Jewish name?
In a fair world, it would be seen that although Israel is the most immediately and most highly threatened country from the advent of an Iranian bomb, the rest of Western civilized society is threatened in a very serious and life-changing way. But because of Israel's position in this dilemna, the fact that the rest of the World can deflect the brunt of this on Israel, and because Israel does not beg others to fight on their behalf (despite the fact that others would be fighting on their behalf as well), Israel must bear the brunt and do for the World what the World should be doing for itself and be condemned for it. And, yes, Mr. Shapira, you are a maroon and many other things.
Hey Yitzhak, or Adolph or whatever your real name is, or whatever name you use over at stormfront, right now Israel is busy fighting the US's war. They don't hate the US because of Israel. They hate Israel because they think it is too much like the US – western and not Islamic. Hint – which one is the Great Satan and which is the Little Satan? n
I cannot prove it, but: I do not think that Israel is going to need to use nukes in order to realize a successful outcome on an Iran operation. However it is now plain to see that very little time is remaining and sanctions have failed, miserably.
I am optimistic, I believe Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan can win. The US electorate are going to be thinking about how much more damage they can expect by allowing The Amateur Obama a second term.
As I have written, Romney has to prove he is pro-American First,rather than pro corporate America First.
American Corporations and their lobbyists have sold out the American people. Is that true. It is not difficult to prove really. I ask you, is the following baloney:
1: Corporate America has our sourced jobs of all job categories to foreign countries, including ones who are enemies of the United States and it’s people.
2: Corporate America has manipulated immigration law by hiring foreign immigrants outside of the US for jobs in the US and instructed them how they can take advantage of US Gov’t programs. The newly hired foreigners are given preferential treatment in assignments and pathways towards advancement to lead persons, supervisors and managers. They are allowed and even encouraged to bring in their relatives and set up mercenary cliques which discriminate against Americans, particularly caucasian and especially Jewish American born employees at the rank and file levels. Management can be expected to always back up the clique. Complaints to Federal EEOC or State Dept. of Employment will result in no action need be taken.
Do you need more, I’m only warming up.
Wow. I must be psychic. I knew that the most recent diplomatic effort with the Islamic Republic would fail. I also know that whatever sanctions are put into place, they will fail and not deter the mullahs from their quest for a nuclear umbrella. Is it ESP? Is it deja vu all over again? n nBTW, I am now available for tarot card and tea leaf readings. Rates reasonable.
What state will Joe Biden think he is in next? What century?
Well, using the Presdient's list, Mr. Biden has a 1 in 57 chance of picking the right state. nLet' see, that's one state for each communist in – - –
Emmanuel Goldstein has a nice ring but I always forget whether he's in Eastasia or Eurasia these days. Maybe for security reasons he should adopt a feminine name. I nominate Vera Geharget. And he can postmark his communications from Lake L'Azazel.