Posted on 02/15/2010 11:36:38 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
For the first time, Israel has indicated its inability to destroy Iran's nuclear weapons program.
Officials said senior members of the government and military have quietly expressed concern over Israel's ability to strike Iran without direct help from the United States. They said some of the ministers and commanders were advising that Israel prepare to live with a nuclear Iran. "We are taking upon ourselves a task that is bigger than us," former Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz said.
In a television interview on Feb. 13, Halutz reflected what was termed a growing realization within the government and military that Israel could not destroy Iran's nuclear weapons program. Until his forced resignation in 2007, Halutz, a former air force chief, focused military development on long-range precision air strikes that could target Iran.
"I think that the state of Israel should not take it upon itself to be the flag-bearer of the entire Western world in the face of the Iranian threat," Halutz said.
"I'm not some pedestrian," Halutz, blamed for Israel's failure to defeat Hizbullah in the war in 2006, said. "I've been in several positions that have made me more informed than the average person."
Officials said the position of Halutz, who rarely appears in the media, was similar to senior members of the government. They said Defense Minister Ehud Barak, regarded as the leading U.S. supporter in the Cabinet, has also warned that Israel did not have the means to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldtribune.com ...
What a party pooper.
You must remember that he was responsible for the loss in Lebanon in 2006
When IDF forces do successfully take out Iranian nuke sites, look for VP Biden to publicly announce that the attack was launched from “Shangri La...”
LOL
He was a principal but Israel’s military is more than one man. The political leadership, the rank and file, his senior military colleagues, the public themselves all own their own share of the blunder. Much can be ascribed to overconfidence and a failure to remember that your enemy can adapt or alter their tactics.
That said, no military matches the Israeli ability to learn lessons and apply their knowledge. If it gets replayed, I think it likely there will be a very different ending this time.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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I can think of a few reasons to make this statement beyond the obvious:
1. Disinformation.
2. A message to Zer0 that if Israel goes in the USA will be blamed too, so he might as well get with the program.
3. 1 and 2.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
I would also place blame on then Defense Minister Amir Peretz, a man who had zero previous military experience and should never have been appointed to that job. I also blame then Prime Minister Olmert, who also had almost no military experience, appointed Peretz, and made some very poor decisions.
Not everyone in the military establishment shares Halutz’ views.
exactly.
Halutz and that non-entity Amir Perez as Minister of Defense.
A can’t-go-lian if ever there was one. There’s a way if there’s a will. But the prospects are daunting.
Agreed.
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