Posted on 06/13/2008 12:09:51 PM PDT by NativeNewYorker
Former White House National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski said President George W. Bush should privately dissuade Israel from carrying out any military strike against Iran in an attempt to cripple its nuclear program.
In an interview on Bloomberg Television's ``Political Capital with Al Hunt,'' Brzezinski said an armed conflict between Israel and Iran would widen to include the U.S. as Iran struck back against American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Concerns about the possibility of Israel attacking Iran were raised last week by comments from a senior Israeli official. Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, a contender for prime minister, told the Yediot Ahronot daily that sanctions haven't worked and Israel would have to attack if Iran doesn't abandon the nuclear effort.
``The Iranians cannot effectively retaliate against Israel, so they'll retaliate against us,'' Brzezinski said. ``And then we will be tempted to retaliate against Iran, and we'll be drawn into a very destructive conflict from which we will not extricate ourselves for many years to come.''
Brzezinski, 80 and now a counselor at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, said presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama should consider choosing as a running mate someone who has strong national- security credentials and shares his opposition to the Iraq War.
General Jones
One possibility, he said is retired Marine General James Jones, the former supreme commander of NATO. While saying Jones would have to be scrutinized to ensure that he would be an effective campaigner and that his views are compatible with Obama's, Brzezinski called Jones ``a good debater'' and someone who ``certainly knows the international environment.''
Other vice-presidential possibilities, Brzezinski said, are Senators Joseph Biden of Delaware, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Chris Dodd of Connecticut, a senior member of that panel.
Brzezinski, an Obama supporter, said choosing someone with national-security experience would be helpful because ``although Obama has a broad grasp on international affairs'' and a strong understanding of ``what the historical moment is and what it implies for America,'' the Illinois senator ``has not had direct military service and things of that sort.''
Choosing a running mate who held a different view of the Iraq conflict would make it difficult for Obama to campaign as an opponent of the war, Brzezinski said. He said that wouldn't be a problem for Biden because while he voted to authorize the use of force against Iraq in 2002, he renounced that view. Dodd also has said he regrets supporting the war authorization.
`Dysfunctional' Scenario
Brzezinski has previously counseled Obama not to choose as his running mate Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, saying such a choice would produce a ``dysfunctional'' administration.
While Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said this week that it is ``Bush's dream'' to harm Iran, Bush said in Germany that he would prefer to solve the standoff with Iran through diplomacy backed by tougher sanctions. Bush also repeated his view that ``all options are on the table'' in dealing with Iran.
The Iranian government is defying United Nations Security Council demands to suspend the enrichment of uranium and open its program fully to inspectors.
Brzezinski said the most effective strategy for dealing with Iran's nuclear program would be a combination of stiffer economic sanctions and positive incentives to negotiate. The U.S. and some of its European allies say they suspect Iran's civilian nuclear effort is a cover for a weapons program, an allegation Iranian leaders deny.
Threats `Counterproductive'
He said threats of military action are ``counterproductive'' because they unite the Iranian population in opposition to the U.S.
Brzezinski said Bush has leverage to discourage an Israeli strike because Israeli warplanes would have to fly through airspace controlled by the U.S. in order to attack Iran, and the U.S. could deny permission to do so.
``We have to make a judgment,'' he said. ``Is this in our interest or isn't it? We're going to be blamed for it. If we're going to be blamed for it, then we have to really decide whether we want this to happen.''
Right, let’s let Iran make a nuke bomb, obliterate Israel before we do something.
Boy, taking advice from Dr. B on foreign policy, is like asking diet advice from Rosie O’Donnell.
Amazing. Simply amazing.
In other words, another Jimmy Carter chump punk a** MF'ing loser .
Butt out, Zbiggy.
By all means!
The U.S. should lead the way, stiking the hardest targets and radars first, then provide targeting data for Israel to bat clean up!
This approach would ensure the best strategic outcome and undermine any thoughts other Arab countries might have about retaliating against Israel.
High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel, WOT
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"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Wait Zman, let me see if I follow this, Israel attacks Iran,
Iran attacks us, so that means Iran is more afraid of Israel than us? I’d say they have a real attitude adjustment coming. Hopefully SOON.
That silly bastard Brzezinski couldn’t find his ass with both hands, a road map and a GPS. His expertise in foreign policy combined with Jimmy Carter is what turned Iran from a steady and dependable U.S. ally into an enemy, and a force for state sponsored terrorism and instability throughout the Middle East.
Just when people no longer tell polack jokes, along comes Brzezinski.
Brzezinski to Israel: “Shut up and go to to the ovens.”
Former White House National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski said President George W. Bush should privately dissuade Israel from carrying out any military strike against Iran in an attempt to cripple its nuclear program.
Yeah cause it wold probably be a success unlike all the failures with Iran during Jimma Carta's 4 years.
We all do know just how Obama chooses is advisors and mentors, for there is Jeremiah Wright, and all of his crook friends, like Louis Farrakan, and the Marxist friends. All of them are UN-American.
"Oh no, Isreal; please stop....."
Mika is on my last stinking nerve lately............YUK
Mika is on my last stinking nerve lately............YUK
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