Israel Poised to Attack Iranian Nuclear Sites

Human Events ^ | 06/23/2008 | Robert Maginnis

[cassy.kane]

The New York Times reported last week that Israel carried out a major military exercise in early June that appears to be a rehearsal “…to develop the military’s capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran’s nuclear program.” More than 100 Israeli warplanes -- including F-16 and F-15 fighters, refueling tankers and helicopters for pilot rescue - participated in the maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean.

The message of the exercise, concludes the Times, was that Israel is prepared to act militarily if diplomatic efforts fail to stop Iran’s nuclear program. Such an attack would certainly destroy most of the above-ground Iranian nuclear facilities and set back Iran’s nuclear program a few years. But the Iranian response to such an attack would be serious for Israel and potentially worse for the United States.

The latest edition of the German news weekly Der Spiegel echoes the Times’ view that Israel is making final preparations to strike Iran and concludes that there is “…a broad consensus (in Israel) in favor of a military strike against Tehran’s nuclear facilities.”

[rwfromkansas]

uh huh. believe it when it happens

[east1234]

Has to happen, they don’t have a choice.

[SECURE AMERICA]

<> Somebody better be if America ans the West is to survive.....

[LukeL]

In other news the NYT is pleased to report the location of our entire fleet of Ohio Class Submarines along with their launch codes.

[antiRepublicrat]

I wonder if some of our air tankers over Iraq would just happen to sort-of maybe accidentally mistake Israeli planes for US planes and refuel them on the way there and back. Just a thought, mistakes happen.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

What’s that about, loose lips....?

[elcid1970]

Ol’ Imadamnutjob practices “Speak loudly and carry a small stick.”

The Israelis are not going to allow Iran to stand up its nukes. No way, Jose.

Just like in 1967, by the time the world hears that “Israel is said to be ready to attack”, the enemy’s war assets will have already been reduced to smoking ruins.

[tatsinfla]

the difference between us and the Israelis is they don’t worry about who they offend, they just get the job done the old fashioned way. maybe we could learn something from them.

[MurryMom]

But the Iranian response to such an attack would be serious for Israel and potentially worse for the United States.

Meanwhile, speculators willingly buy up oil futures contracts at $140-$150 per barrel knowing that if Israel or the Bush administration make good on their threats vs. Iran the price will leapfrog over $200. The neocons are their own worst enemy in posing threats against Iran's feeble, maybe even nonexistent nuclear weapons program.

[NoKoolAidforMe]

Come on, this is the New York Slimes we’re talking here.

[mkjessup]

Meanwhile, speculators willingly buy up oil futures contracts at $140-$150 per barrel knowing that if Israel or the Bush administration make good on their threats vs. Iran the price will leapfrog over $200. The neocons are their own worst enemy in posing threats against Iran's feeble, maybe even nonexistent nuclear weapons program.

Thank you for that Mrs. Ahmadinejad, perhaps you could tell us if your little boy Mahmoud had any endearing childhood habits, like maybe choking small animals while screaming "death to the JEWS!"?

Bet you're right some proud of your little offspring, thanks for stopping by.

[Fishrrman]

From the article:
“The German magazine concludes, “In Israel, it is no longer a matter of whether there will be a military strike, but when.” Der Spiegel states that “…time is running out” because “Israel can only depend on American support for as long as … President George W. Bush is still in charge in Washington.””

This is why I believe that if an attack is in the works, it will come sometime after the first Tuesday in November and before the inauguration in January.

By then, it will be too late for the ‘rats in Congress to “impeach” G.W. Bush for providing aid and support to the Israelis. They will make waterfalls of roaring noises, but that’s all. And, exit the House and Senate chambers with secret sighs of relief that this was taken care of before THEY had to do it.

By then, it will be too late for an incoming president Obama (I loath writing that) to do anything. Too much of his “response” will be controlled and channeled by events that precede him.

By then, if the incoming president happens to be John McCain, he will be in a position to continue whatever policies the Bush administration has in place with regards to support for Israel - quite possibly direct U.S. action against Iran itself. Of course, an attack BEFORE the election would throw the vote to Obama (if it isn’t already there). Better to wait until just after.

I’m sure that Mr. Bush is well-informed of the gist of whatever the Israelis have in the works - after all, I believe that American support (i.e., in-air refueling, assistance in jamming Iranian air defense mechanisms) will be essential for the success of the mission. And I’m also sure that the Israelis - mindful of Mr. Bush’s political needs, and the upcoming election - have agreed to the post-election timeframe.

I’m also sure that Mr. McCain has been briefed somewhat as to “what’s coming”, and that he is in full assent.

- John

[IamConservative]

I wonder if some of our air tankers over Iraq would just happen to sort-of maybe accidentally mistake Israeli planes for US planes and refuel them on the way there and back. Just a thought, mistakes happen.

If I were Bush, I'd be on the horn - "You fly, I'll buy. All the Jet-A and bunker busters you need boys."

I have to think we could refuel those planes in flight and no one would ever be the wiser.

[cpdiii]

An attack on Iran's nuclear project would be successful but would leave their regime of terror whole and intact and bent on murderous revenge at any cost.

If the nuclear program is taken out Israel will need to take the leadership out also. Otherwise they will be back. The attacks would not just be against Israel but all of the Western countries. The USA would be drawn into this conflict within months. Perhaps this is Israels design.

The nuclear facilities in Iran do need taking out. I do not know if Israel has the ability to take out the leadership of Iran. To kill them you must know where they are at.

I would suspect this will come to conclusion after the next presidential election but before inauguration.

[RightWhale]

ssdd

[cpdiii]

We control the air over Iraq. For a mission to be successful we would need to “look the other way” when the aircraft fly over Iraq on the way to Iran.

[taildragger]

Fishrrman,

Everything you says rings true.

I just had lunch with an individual who claims the oil companies are stock piling oil bla-bla-bla....

Which made me think, additions to Strategic Oil Reserve was not curtailed IMHO because this strike is looming in the near future and it will save our bacon.

The last 6 months or so, you read about bad guys getting wacked via special forces, Predators or via the Israeli's.

My gut feel on this is they are rapping up what they can before the hand the "Football" to the children.

[colorado tanker]

I hope this is right. One of my many disappointments over the Bush Administration is its failure to stop Iran from going nukular.

[valkyry1]

Its 1200 miles between Israel and Iran. The strikes against Iraq and Syria dont even come close to what an Iran attack would entail. Israel needs heavy bombers and they dont even have an F-111 equivalent. They cant get it done with F-15’s and F-16’s this time.

Somehow the US must be drawn in to the conflict inorder to give the US cover so we can claim it was not a unilateral pre-emptive strike on Iran.