Posted on 09/08/2006 4:42:12 AM PDT by shrinkermd
Bibi Says Bush Will Cowboy Up On Iran Benjamin Netanyahu paid a visit to New York, hoping to build support in America for a bid to replace Ehud Olmert as Israel's Prime Minister. As part of that effort, he gave a speech last night in which he told the audience that George Bush has just about run out of patience with international diplomacy regarding the Iranian nuclear program:
Benjamin Netanyahu, as part of an American tour repositioning himself for a return to the Israeli premiership, told an audience in New York today that President Bush is preparing to ditch the United Nations to take on Iran alone and that American politicians of all parties would do well to stop squabbling about Iraq and join the president in focusing on threat from Tehran.
The former prime minister, who leads the right of center Likud Party in opposition to the current government, went on to tell lunch guests of the Hudson Institute that another war between Hezbollah and Israel is inevitable and that a shift in Israeli politics is about to take place with his return to power and a return to the principles that guided thinking in Jerusalem until the Oslo Accords.
Largely ignored in the coverage of Mr. Bush's speech Tuesday on the war on terror, Mr. Netanyahu told his audience more than once, was Mr. Bush's statement that "the world's free nations will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon." Not that the "United Nations won't allow," said Mr. Netanyahu, but that the "free nations" of the world won't allow. Mr. Netanyahu called it a sign that on the Iranian problem the president was preparing to stop working through the United Nations and instead work with whoever would join him.
Netanyahu is correct when he says it was overlooked; hardly anyone included that in their analyses, including me. It doesn't surprise me to see Netanyahu make the point, because he has long warned of the encroaching hegemony of the mullahcracy in the region. The fact that he came to America to make that point shows that he sees a need for more focus and strength on Iran by Americans.
Of course, this redounds to Israel's benefit, as Netanyahu freely admits. The threat to Israel represents just the leading edge of the Iranian political strategy. Not for nothing does Ahmadinejad refer to Israel as the "little Satan," and the Iranian leader made the connection between Israel and the US explicit with his conference on a world without both.
Unfortunately, Netanyahu is probably also correct about the amount of company we have in seriously addressing the threat. He counts Israel and Britain as the only Western nations taking it seriously. Recent polls show that the French electorate also thinks it rises to the level of military intervention if all other efforts fail to end the nuclear efforts of Teheran. However, while the Security Council nations show some backbone in issuing resolutions, they appear to have no stomach for any other kind of confrontation with the mullahs.
Daniel Freedman has extensive reporting of Netanyahu's remarks for the New York Sun. Be sure to read the entire article.
Excellent! BTTT
The "free nations" statement stood out to me when I heard it. It is at once a clarification of the players (Iran as totalitarian, the U.N. as patsy, and the free nations as the forces of good). Unfortunately its not surprising what goes over the head of the MSM these days.
When exactly is this election in Israel? A coordinated action with Israel would make tactical sense.
"Recent polls show that the French electorate also thinks it rises to the level of military intervention if all other efforts fail to end the nuclear efforts of Teheran." Great but the leadership is thinking how to "surrender"?
I am sure all parties are hoping it won't have to go to general election.
I hope Bibi is right also, but I don't believe W will move forward on this.
The well has been poisoned over the last 5 years and I don't think W will risk it.
I agree although I don't think President W has anything to risk except the loss of an ally (Israel) or major American cities. I hope the loss would only be the UN on our shores but that is truly wishful thinking.
"I agree although I don't think President W has anything to risk except the loss of an ally (Israel) or major American cities. I hope the loss would only be the UN on our shores but that is truly wishful thinking."
The only real risk to Israel or American cities is if we wait too long. I feel that with our current airpower capabilities we could even prevent Iran from greatly affecting shipping on the Strait of Hormuz. The initial strike taking out nuclear, government, military and port assets in Iran would leave that country in a state of near-paralysis (and one hopes, revolt).
I think the administration has to deal with some tricky timing issues: we must wait 'til past the 2006 elections, past getting Iraq mostly stabilized, and yet before Iran gets the bomb. It would also be nice if domestic oil production cranks up some more first. ;-)
I strongly suspect we'll strike Iran before 11/08. Israel won't be involved, though Britain, Canada and Australia may pitch in.
It's a self-correcting problem..... it'll only work if Bush succeeds in pulling the country together behind his play. If he doesn't, the consensus falls apart, the 'Rats win, Hillary gets elected prez, and then a lot of 'Rat votes in "blue" (really pink) states get immolated by nuclear weapons: New York, Boston, DC, Miami, Chicago -- all on the "A" list.
'Rats better hope Bush succeeds. They'd better fight hard for him.
Stories on TV last night had Tony Blair promising to leave office.
Sorry, but as one familiar with the industry from the inside, it doesn't work like that. You need at least a year just to change directions. That's because leadership has shifted in the industry, which no longer calls its own tune. The money-runners in New York have been playing "Mother, May I?" with the oil industry for years now, ever since the Bust. It takes a at least year to run a need to increase production up to them, have them bless it, and then run it back down the wiring diagram and make it happen.
Every layer is another layer of delay.
Do not underestimate President Bush.
The Pres will not Bogart Iran. The contractors will take care of it.
Who are the contractors you speak of, you mean Israel?
Thanks!
We don't speak of the contractors. They know who they are.
Iran is a clear and present danger.
He is absolutely right.
Cavuto interviewed him yesterday. Grand interview.
Bumperoo
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