U.S. planning for Israeli strike at Iran

The Washington Times ^ | May. 7

[F14 Pilot]

Washington, DC, May. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. authorities have extensively considered the possibility -- or likelihood -- that Israel will attack Iran's nuclear facilities, perhaps this year.

U.S. analysts and government sources said the Bush administration has discussed the prospect of an Israeli air strike in terms of the diplomatic, military and security implications for the United States, particularly its military presence in Iraq and the Persian Gulf region, the Middle East Newsline reported Friday.

[VaBthang4]

All the Israelis have to do is zip across American controlled Iraqi airspace.

Talk about a cakewalk.

[VaBthang4]

"Stupid move. All hell will break loose."

How so?

What's gonna happen? Whining from the Iranians? The EU? Exactly what is your definition of "Hell breaking loose"?

[McGruff]

All the Israelis have to do is zip across American controlled Iraqi airspace.

I don't think that would win any hearts and minds.

What about those submarines they have.

Whatever they do, I hope they plan it well. You're only going to get one shot at it and what about the fallout.

[arthurus]

I am sure this is for the edification of the Iranians. These leaks tend to be actally seeps, controlled release of information to have desired effects.

[arthurus]

If you want to stop terrorists you go to the root.

If by "going to the root" we shut down Arabian oil production for a few weeks or months or... we will have suffered an economic blow that may well negate all of our military efforts.We are surrounding and squdeezing the Sauds and putting pressure on the salafi who are forcing the Sauds to do at least some of our work for us. It will not be accomplished in time for the Sunday talk shows. We are cursed by the ADDization of America.

[arthurus]

The US will condemn it publicly and send Sharon a box of cigars and a bottle of champagne.

[Eala]

I'd thought the WA Times was one of the few good papers left. In any event, this doesn't seem to say much, certainly not the gist of the conversation. I'd be more annoyed if the President had not discussed this with Sharon.

And as far as speculation of an Israeli attack goes, there's been more on this thread alone in FR than there is in the article.

Am I wrong?

[arthurus]

In a strategic sense premttion is a meaningless term. We are and have been in a war since 1979 at least. We know that we are in that war since 911 and should have known since the COLE. We are fighting that war. Premption is a tactical concept now. We can prevent actions by use of military force judiciously applied as is done in all wars.

[arthurus]

when the media actually CARED

The media does very much CARE. You have to understand which side the media are on.

[arthurus]

Iran is likely to hit back if attacked

Iran has to know that its only hope of success with WMD is to wipe out Israel's offensive capacity with a first strike. That strike must be nuclear. The bios and chems are simply not reliable enougu to do the job without the nukes. If Israel hits the nukes first the rest will only insure the extinction of Iran. I only hope the Israelis have an accurate idea of timelines here. It would not due for Iran to be have its nuke a week before Israel aims to hit the reactor.

[Mr. Mojo]

Stupid move. All hell will break loose.

Do you think it's better if we just allowed a regime ruled by fanatical Islamists to possess a nuclear arsenal? Talk about a strategy that begs for "all hell to break loose."

If so, Armageddon here we come. Israel would expect the U.S. to help them too!

Israel has never asked for (nor have then received) any help from anyone during any of their (highly successful) military efforts. If they determine that it's in their national security interests to take out Iran's nuke capabilities, they'll do so with or without our help, and they'll succeed. Take it to the bank.

[Mr. Mojo]

Iran has to know that its only hope of success with WMD is to wipe out Israel's offensive capacity with a first strike.

Yes, a first strike is Iran's only option. But there's no way they'd be able to wipe out Israel's offensive capabilties with that first strike, no matter how successful. Israel has it's only little nuclear triad -- nukes on subs, nukes on bombers, and nukes on land-based ballistic missiles. ....And it's highly improbable that Iran would have the capability to completely eliminate even one part of that triad, let alone all three.

So a first strike is Iran's option only if their goal is to wipe out Israel's population centers. But they must understand that it would be a suicide mission, 'cause the majority of Israel's nukes would remain intact.

[nmh]

"Do you think it's better if we just allowed a regime ruled by fanatical Islamists to possess a nuclear arsenal? Talk about a strategy that begs for "all hell to break loose."

I don't think having Israel bomb their nuclear arsenal is smart or wise. Surely even you can figure out alternatives to this scenario. That's nothing more than a knee jerk reaction that jeopardizes EVERYONE. It's a self serving plan that forces the hand of EVERYONE.

"Israel has never asked for (nor have then received) any help from anyone during any of their (highly successful) military efforts. If they determine that it's in their national security interests to take out Iran's nuke capabilities, they'll do so with or without our help, and they'll succeed. Take it to the bank."

LOL! After the U.S. trains them and supplies them with arms, yeah, they don't need the U.S. then.

You really miss the BIG picture. This attack will NOT be isolated to Iran. Other Muslim countries will come to their aid and the U.S. will be forced to bail out Israel for this ridiculous idea.

[commish]

I personally would hoot & holler and buy any Isreali I meet the beverage of thier choice. That said, this type of an action would probably be the fuse that ignites the entire Mideast powderkeg.

[yonif]

Israel has the Arrow Missile System which is basically their own little star-wars.

[John Lenin]

If anyone blows up the reactor it will be the US. Israel cannot afford to do anything right now to give the Arabs the excuse to to attack them unless they are willing for an all out war with the region.

[blackie]

I like it ~ Go Israel ~ Bump!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[Mr. Mojo]

After the U.S. trains them and supplies them with arms

Seems you know very little about this. Israel developed a nuclear arsenal without any help from the U.S. whatsoever, and their two major wars (in '67 and '73) were fought without any U.S. arms. And incidentally, the IAF has actually made significant improvements to many of the weapons systems the U.S. has sold Israel since that time, something that no other nation can even imagine doing. And as far as training is concerned, I believe you're getting Israel confused with Saudi Arabia -- Israel's training methods are their own and extraordinarily sophisticated.

This attack will NOT be isolated to Iran. Other Muslim countries will come to their aid

Highly doubtful, considering those nations assuredly know that it would be a suicide mission for them as well. Underestimating the cababilities of the Israeli armed forces is a deadly game.

[yonif]

If anyone blows up the reactor it will be the US. Israel cannot afford to do anything right now to give the Arabs the excuse to to attack them unless they are willing for an all out war with the region.

That's what some said in Israel before they went to blow up the Iraqi reactor. They all said there would be a big war, etc. Never happened. And besides, Israel is at war with basically the entire region already.

[John Lenin]

That was before Iran had missiles they could tip with chemical weapons.