Thirty-Six Years Ago Today, Richard Nixon Saved Israel—but Got No Credit

Commentary Magazine ^ | October 6th, 2009 | Jason Maoz

[Jbny]

Precise details of what transpired in Washington during the first week of the Yom Kippur War, launched by Egypt and Syria on October 6, 1973, are hard to come by, in no small measure owing to conflicting accounts given by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger regarding their respective roles.

What is clear, from the preponderance of information provided by those directly involved in the unfolding events, is that President Richard Nixon — overriding inter-administration objections and bureaucratic inertia — implemented a breathtaking transfer of arms, code-named Operation Nickel Grass, that over a four-week period involved hundreds of jumbo U.S. military aircraft delivering more than 22,000 tons of armaments.

[SJackson]

Amongst Kissingers concerns, thwarting a truely decisive Israei victory, disturbing the ever important regional balance of power. Had that occured the world might have been burdened by short negotiations for the return of Cairo and Damascus, denying us of the pleasure of the unending palestinian issue.

[dennisw]

That sure sounds like Henry Kissinger I know. Perhaps the Russians were making their own threats to intervene and supply the Syrians and Egyptians

[Eleutheria5]

Or Orthodox American Jews, who are voting Republican in ever-increasing numbers. I started in 1991, and have never regretted it, except with Papa Bush and ex-gov George Pataki.

[RobbyS]

Likewise, the word was not told about the Lananese War in 1959, when Eisenhower personally participated om the deployment of much of the US Air Force to the Middle East to overawe Mossdegh. the pro-Russian premier of Iran —and the Ruskies—who was abut to overthrow the Shah.

[gonzo]

"...Nixon had the military at Defcon 2 during this time in expectation of an attack by Russia on Israel..."

True! ................. FRegards