From Haaretz's shrewd Amir Oren, who of course brings in the American elections (i.e., the power of Jews in the American political process):
Make no mistake about the Obama administration, when it comes to Iran: Its policy differs from that of the Bush administration only in style, not in content….
The prevailing balance of power within the Obama administration tends to favor attacking Iran's nuclear installations, or to tolerate an Israeli attack….
The decision to launch a military operation against Iran, particularly using American-made planes…will have to be preceded by feelers to discern where Obama stands exactly on the continuum between approval and opposition. Apparently Israel wants Obama to emerge sufficiently strengthened from this week's NATO summit, but still too weak to say no to Israel.
The prevailing balance of power within the Obama administration tends to favor attacking Iran's nuclear installations, or to tolerate an Israeli attack….
The decision to launch a military operation against Iran, particularly using American-made planes…will have to be preceded by feelers to discern where Obama stands exactly on the continuum between approval and opposition. Apparently Israel wants Obama to emerge sufficiently strengthened from this week's NATO summit, but still too weak to say no to Israel.
They wont bomb Iran. They can't bomb Iran. The bombed ones are us, who have to hear these threats. we are the subject of these bombs, these information bombs the propaganda bombs. Iran is safe for now.
Zionist threatening of Iran is like saying flatus breaks the trees
I don't think Iran is safe and neither is the United States. Netanyahu has promised he will attack Iran before he lets them have the bomb. Iran will retaliate, thus bringing the US into the war on Israel's side. Shore based missiles will attack or sink our aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf. The Iranians will close the Straits of Hormuz. Oil will go to $250 a barrel. The world economy will be in a depression for a generation. Tens of millions of Baby Boomers who had expected to have a happy secure retirement will live out their remainder of their lives in in poverty uncertainty and fear. The US will emerge from this fiasco as a morally weak and financially bankrupt country, even as Israel continues, thanks to our annual multi-billion dollar tribute, to dominate the Middle East.
News on arms shipment to Israel?
From: Amnesty International (alerts@takeaction.amnestyusa.org)
Sent: Fri 4/03/09 4:20 PM
New information obtained by Amnesty researchers this week confirmed a massive shipment of U.S. weapons was delivered to Israel on March 22nd.
The administration allowed the delivery, despite clear evidence of Israeli human rights violations, some amounting to war crimes, including the controversial use of U.S. made white phosphorous munitions over densely populated areas. That's the white phosphorous that sticks to flesh and sears it until completely deprived of oxygen.
You and I need the State Department to know that they can't just plop tons of weapons into the hands of a known serious human rights violator without getting grilled.
Please ask State Department officials why the U.S. would deliver these arms to Israel.
*To Send a Pre-Written E-Mail – link to takeaction.amnestyusa.org
Duscany misinforms with Shore based missiles will attack or sink our aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf..
It is true that Iran has missiles that can do serious damage to US aircraft carriers but their range is a few hundred kilometers. But try to pay attention: there are not any carriers on routine patrol in the Gulf now. And it is for that reason.
"But try to pay attention: there are not any carriers on routine patrol in the Gulf now."
I always try to pay attention. And the attention I've been paying tells me that while there may not be any carriers in the gulf at the moment, the US has routinely sent carrier battle groups into the Persian Gulf for years. Last year at this time there were two carriers there.
If our policy there has changed, that's great news. The Persian Gulf is no place for any US warship bigger a Zodiac. Are there any stories around about a change to our carrier policy in the Gulf? If so I'd love to see a link.
Duscany, you are right and wrong. In the last few years the US has placed its carriers in the Gulf for brief periods of time. These were highly publicized events. As a routine they keep them out of there. This is not publisized. Why? Is the US willing to admit that it's navy is vulnerable to a second rate power like Iran? No. They will just quietly withdraw those ships from harms way.
Actually, this is really interesting change in American gun boat diplomacy. It cannot be admitted, but the change is real.
Syvanen: "Actually, this is really interesting change in American gun boat diplomacy. It cannot be admitted, but the change is real."
I'd love do read about this change in US Policy. Can you send along your links/citations?