Continuing with the metaphor, I have to think that Israel is bluffing. I don't think they have the nerve to be only the second nation to ever use a nuclear weapon against an enemy. Olmert and crew demonstrated just what buffoons they are in trying to fight it's campaign earlier in 2006, only to suffer
I have said for a while on FR, under heavy criticism by pie-in-the-sky types, that this isn't your father's Israel, it isn't 1973, and that they are soft and just don't have what it takes. They rode on luck, reputation, and myth until their bluff was called earlier in 2006 and they flopped.
I was right.
Israel won't use a tactical nuke against Iran. This is fantasy island stuff. I hope they get their act together and soon - they will likely need to be on the ball in the coming years. As for now, they just don't have what it takes.
PS - I also have upset quite a few Freepers when I note that the USA and American people in no way will go to war to save (or avenge) Israel. It's going to take a lot to motivate Americans to mobilize our military after our under performance in Iraq. American's won't die to save or avenge Israel. Too many Freepers reading 1960s speeches and believing it is controlling in 2007.
Sad but true.
Both we and the Israelis seem to have convinced ourselves that we can win without killing our enemies. This is an illusion of which we will eventually be cured, but whether that occurs before it's too late for us or for them is unknown.
Iran's strategy is clear: a) obtain a credible nuclear detterent to protect itself; b) have it's proxies Hexbollah and Hamas shell Israel into economic collapse; c) drive the US from Iraq using its proxies there. Final goal: reestablishment of the Persian Empire stretching from he eastern Med to Afghanistan with all of the Persian Gulf's oil effectively under Iran's control.