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Subscribe to RSSPresident Barack Obama said he's not bluffing about using military action if needed to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Just days before what could be the most consequential meeting of U.S. and Israeli leaders in years, aides to President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are scrambling to bridge stark differences over what Washington fears could be an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear sites.
With tensions between Israel and Iran running sky high, U.S. officials and military analysts are growing concerned that Israel will launch a multi-phase air and missile attack that could trigger waves of retaliatory missile strikes from Tehran.
That could quickly spiral into a regional conflict that would potentially force the U.S. to intervene to protect its interests.
Israeli voters disapprove of attack on Iran without US help
Further complicating Monday's White House talks is a trust deficit between the two men that has been magnified by mounting pressures of the U.S. presidential campaign. Obama's Republican foes are eager to paint him as too tough on Israel and too soft on Iran.
Willbur Ross, Chairman & CEO of W.L. Ross & Co., weighs in on the GOP presidential race and gives GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney a thumbs up.
Netanyahu is coming to Washington to press Obama to more forcefully declare "red lines" that Iran must not cross in its nuclear program, Israeli officials say, even as speculation mounts that the Jewish state could act militarily on its own in coming months.
"If you don't want me to attack now, I want guarantees," an Israeli official quoted Netanyahu telling top Obama aides who visited Jerusalem last month. "If you're saying, 'we'll take care of you', you're not saying that clearly enough."
US, Britain urge Israel not to attack Iran
The White House has signaled that Obama, who has pledged to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon but has been vague on how far he is prepared to go, will resist pressure for a public policy shift.
Time running out?
Instead, amid growing signs that U.S.-led international sanctions are starting to take a toll on Iran, he will seek to persuade Netanyahu to hold off on any military strike to give those measures and diplomacy time to work, U.S. officials say.
But Israeli officials say they fear that time is running out for an effective Israeli attack as Iran buries its uranium enrichment program deeper underground.
Monday's meeting was supposed to have been a defining moment for the American and Israeli leaders, a chance to present a united front as international pressure on Iran intensifies.
NBC's Bob Windrem joins NewsNation to discuss.
Calls for a tougher approach on Iran are also coming from Republican presidential hopefuls, who see Obama as vulnerable on the issue as he seeks re-election and will seize on any public rift with Netanyahu.
Netanyahu will be pushing not only for Obama's acceptance of whatever action Israel decides to take but for stronger language against Iran that goes beyond the "all options are on the table" mantra on U.S. intentions, Israeli officials said.
Fears grow of Israel-Iran missile shootout
Washington has been working to convince the Israelis that a go-it-alone attack would cause only a temporary setback to Tehran's nuclear ambitions while possibly plunging the already-volatile Middle East into chaos.
And Obama's aides insist that an explicit U.S. military threat would be counterproductive right now, especially due to the potential for further spikes in global oil prices and the risk that Tehran might backtrack on overtures seen as opening the door to renewed nuclear talks with world powers.
At schools, in shops, and on the streets of big cities and small towns, daily life plays out in Iran.
But a source close to the administration's thinking on Iran told Reuters the president might try to placate some of Netanyahu's concerns in private and could also pledge even more sanctions to tighten the vise on Tehran.
The White House has proposed the two leaders issue a joint statement after they meet, but the idea has yet to be firmed up, an Israeli official said. A show of solidarity on certain issues might help keep differences under wraps on others.
An administration official also would not rule out the possibility that Obama could harden some of his rhetoric on Iran when he addresses the largest U.S. pro-Israel lobby in Washington on Sunday, the day before he sees Netanyahu.
Israel wary of Washington
Despite that, U.S. officials doubt that Netanyahu will go as far as providing assurances that Israel will consult Washington -- its biggest source of military assistance -- before launching any strikes on Iran, which has called for the destruction of the Jewish state.
Religious, political hard-liners face off in Iran election
Even if Obama privately reassures Netanyahu that the U.S. has the firepower to deliver a devastating blow to Iran's nuclear program further down the line, the Israelis have made clear they cannot rely on that commitment alone.
"Anyone who thinks that Israel is not going to make its own decision, particularly on an issue they view in existential terms, is kidding themselves," Obama's former Middle East adviser, Dennis Ross, told Reuters.
One line of thinking within the Obama administration is that keeping it in the dark about any Israeli military plans might be best for the United States since any sign of complicity would inflame anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world.
But even without a direct U.S. role, there will be deep suspicion across the Middle East that Israel would not act without a green light from Washington.
Still, it remains unclear whether Netanyahu will pay much heed to Obama's words of caution.
Some Obama aides remain suspicious of Netanyahu's motives. They are convinced that he would prefer to see a Republican take control of the White House in 2013 for fear that Obama's re-election would give him a freer hand to push anew for Israeli concessions to the Palestinians during a second term.
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Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world
Reuters and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.
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It's just foolish to threaten war or to talk of war, when the vast region between Egypt all the way to Pakistan is already engulfed in war, death, occupations, and fallen US-backed despots! This will certainly be Obama's undoing, and it may even be the undoing of America as well! Who will serve in US military if the DoD is now using, as stated in the NY Times, the diagnosis of "personality disorder" to NOT pay for the claims of more than 1/5th of the 600,000+ soldiers and marines who have served and returned harmed in ways stock brokers and CEOs can never know, and especially something a president who has never served could imagine in his worst nightmare, yet so callously allows "budget cuts" to cannibalize their due benefits! Quel outrage! Tell Netanyahu to go to hell, and impeach or recall the current bozo at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and his coterie of liars and frauds!
I was with you for a few seconds. Telling Netanyahu go to to hell has been the President's methodology for the last 3 years. He treated him like a civilian (back door entry to the White House), literally told Israel what he wanted them to do (give their land away, not defend themselves, not retalliate for cross border attacks, etc.), and demonized Israel in public speeches. His foreign policy has been to send bombs and troops all over the world, but not help our allies.
That region will explode into war, period. That's what Iran and others have stated outright and they'll get it. Iran also has stated that they want to destroy us. For me, that is reason enough for us to take them out with Israel as needed.
JoeNY- How exactly are we going to "take them out?" Millions of people? Like war much?
I hope you're on the front lines when the shooting starts- just leave America out of it. You go Joe! and keep going far away!
When on earth will I wake-up to the headlines: Israel seeks harmony with Obama?
Was it not just a couple of months ago that Mr. Obama caved-in to Israel's desire at the United Nations and voted against a Palestinian statehood? He also gave in on Israeli settlements on the West Bank and East Jerusalem; but Israel is never satisfied.
Lord, God, who are these people?
I am not for negotiation with Iran, just make it clear to them that a terrorist with a nuclear weapon is unacceptable!
Israel should go ahead and take care of this, the longer the world waits, the closer they get to detonating a nuclear weapon and then start threatening it's neighbors....
Negotiating with people in that part of the world is like negotiating with a jackass....
Israel needs to briing everything at it's disposal including it's feared 100 Megaton "Negev" bomb, I dont think anything walks out of that one....
We can't afford to go fighting another no win war.
What we should do is this.
Tell Israel to sit down, shut up, and do what you are told !!!!!! If you don't do that than you are going it alone period. One misstep brings in China and Russia . If that happens then it's all bets off. The I.C.B.M's will fly and the world will be toast. It is time for us to talk with both China and Russia about what the three of us can do about this mess. All three must be on the same page , in the same play book on this . If not then all is lost.
bob
Holy mother of God, not the singing nun? That face. That smile. Oh the humanity.
O'bama and Netanyahoo, ebony and ivory, work together in perfect harmony.
Side by side destroying Iran, so baby, why can't we?
I prefer the latter.
Right now the Iranians are hurting bad due to the sanctions. They have not a clue where Israel and the U.S. are in both their relationship and their planning. Are they playing cagey on purpose? Does the U.S. have a covert plan? Will Israel act alone? Will lack of U.S. support cause Israel to hit harder?
The point is that Iran is in a box and has no where to go. You will see no clarity out of any Israel/U.S. talks... by design. Between the two of us (Israel and the U.S.) we have so many options that it must be making the Iranians puke. I would do NOTHING to clarify ANYTHING for them.
Getting silent agreements with Russia and China is a no-brainer (if possible).
Israel states in one breath that they need or want US involvement should anything start (or should've said should they start anything) but in the next that no matter what, if they want to they'll do it alone... which is bull because Netan is betting or perhaps knows that the US will back them. Almost like one's child that eff's up, will get dealt with later, but for the moment will be taken care of and protected.
Perhaps for some time, Iraq wasn't only about both Bush's grudge match show down, but also about those in the know saying, 'hey.. we're going to need another ally in the oil lucrative ME cuz Israel is going down a bad road, and it's going to get worse'. Besides all the conflicting 'stories' about how friendly the oil trade is going with that or will go, I've no idea other than to say I think it went south on them. Getting out of ME oil has started to show willingness on the Hill's part, but fracking isn't going over as well as here in Ohio it's started quakes. Perhaps just need's fine tuning, but without decades of investment in greener technologies WHILE keeping America working and NOT selling out our jobs to 3rd world wages is backfiring, and I think most now are scrambling to figure how to best deal with minimal loss.... we can't keep going on bankrupt, living on goods we DON'T produce.
Now, threats of turmoil in the Hormuz, Iran and ME have already raised oil prices; we see it at the pumps, and the 'projectors' have already said get ready for $5 a gallon plus in summer. I'm really not sure that DC and it's corporate cronies have a plan, and now Israel is pushing for action while ours are trying to bide time.
My vote is if Israel decides to go at it, that's their choice; take care of your own on your own. If they believe that threat to be that real, actually believe that Iran would use a nuke bomb, then pre-empt for yourselves.... retrospect will be 20/20. But, like I tell my kids; be carefull whom you align yourselves with, let others fight their own battles and don't get involved, and when your more mature and know who your friends really are you'll know the difference and then you may have to defend your real friends sometimes. Always defend family.
Our governments aren't mature enough to know the difference (everything's money stratego), they get involved anyways, never think of letting others fight their own battles because of such and in fact start troubles FOR such, and at least America NEVER defends family as our government is watching us get pounded and has been for decades.... again, actually causing it to happen. Talk about the black sheep of the family.....
While sleeping with the devil ... you will always get burnt ... it's just how badly ...
The horrors of oil, possession & religion go on & on .............
The H o r r o r The H o r r o r
Lets see-what are those 'interests'? Oh, BIG OIL. Another war for the Corporate World-NO @!$%#ING WAY!
How about this - if jesus doesn't come back in say, the next 5 years, we just save our trillion dollars and let the chips fall, yes?
Obama's response should be "Hey Netanyahu... F.U...."spill some of your own blood and dont come crying to us to do your evil deeds. If you want a war start one , but dont ask for one drop of American blood or one dollar of American money. If Obama supports Isreal as the agressor in a war, he can kiss re election goodbye. All Iran wants is the security that every nuclear country has (which lies in the mutually assured destruction theory). If Somehow it has worked for Pakistan it can surely work for Iran.
Sorry, we've lost to many good men & women in these stupid wars already. After 10 years in the quagmire of Afghanistan, I want to bring everybody home and take a break from war.
Ron Paul 2012
All of you people that are posting your opinions and some of you who are just reading them must realize that sooner or later the world was coming to this moment in time. A terrorist country who will do anything to possess it's very own nuclear bomb. We can either stop them here and now or... we can continue using the same diplomacy and rhetoric that we have used for years and by then, it will be too late. They will then want more bombs. Other Arab countries will seek out material to make bombs to defend their soil, etc. We set idly by as this scenario unfolds. December 21, 2012 may be more of a truer prediction than we ever imagined. And THAT is my own personal opinion.
Politcally, lines were drawn in the 60's by outside interests; Israel being more of the only Western based nation and thus really the West's only footprint in the ME. This infuriated many in the ME as well as Russia (which things were already not so kosher with them and the US... much had been manipulated over in the ME due to the 'cold war', but different topic). It was others, us in particular, choosing sides where again, many in the ME considered it none of our or others' business. Then all else unfolded, and the game of stratego began.
Carbide is expensive; it can be readily made in the US and some is. It sells for $11 a pound at scrap yards, and is very expensive as tooling for machining. For years, working in machine shops (what's left, they are starting to make a come back because 3rd world wages couldn't make par with quality in both material and finished product) most all carbide tooling and inserts are made in Israel.... note, NOT a 3rd world wage exploitable country.
One might think; while all else is being done as cheaply as possible, sub par goods made overseas, why buy expensive carbide tooling from another nation, pay the import, when costs really would be cheaper here at home? Could it be one way of support, helping to finance an agenda? After all, the quality is exactly the same as the minimal amount of tooling made here, so again no difference there.
Israel's government is banking on the continued support they've been given and some may be in shock if they move and we don't. Given our track record, they shouldn't bank on too much; fickleness is somewhere in the pledge of alegiance on the Hill.
These politicking maneuvers as well as using the ME as a playing field betwixt us and Russia has pretty much soured most against any in the ME against the US until we prove we can be somewhat trusted in varied manners, and that's going to take time. Could Iraq be the next Israel in 10 or 20 years? None really know yet, but still not holding breath. Time may heal all wounds, but the deeper the wounds, the more time needed.
Why would Israel, want to listen to that Muslim Lover?
Screw the warmongering Israel. They should not get a penny of US taxpayer money! They are the ones responsible for the surge in crude oil/gasoline prices.
I believe that preemptive attacks are wrong. Should we sit idly by while Iran develops WMD's? Absolutely not! Diplomacy and intelligence gathering are not sitting IDLY by. How many innocent people will die in this war? I don't care if they are muslims or not. INNOCENT is INNOCENT. When you kill innocent people all you do is create more hatred and MORE terrorists.
If we have good intelligence then we should SUPPORT Israel. We'll watch their back while they fight on the front lines. Why does it always have to be us?
Some people want the Jews of Israel to sit down and play music while they wait for their destruction. We have seen that happen before and the same people are calling for it to happen again.
I have not seen anyone but the Obama administration discussing an Israeli attack on Iran. It reminds me of the movie "Wag the Dog"
Cub, why is Iran a terrorist nation, but Pakistan is not? Pakistan is where the people who are aligned with Al Queda are, Iran only supports those who wish to do away with a nation that has little to do with us, and offers almost nothing to America except a constant problems including higher gas prices. North Korea is not a terrorist nation? I think your relying a bit too much on the "Axis of Evil" talks that GW kept spewing before spending $3 Trillion attacking a country because they tried to kill his daddy 20 years ago.
Iran getting nukes is inevitable, as is any country that has a military and economy as advanced as theirs and has the ability to destabalize the worlds oil like Iran does, any country with the ability of Iran that wants nukes, will get nukes.
If we were to allow Israel to attack Iran we would happily yearn for the days of $5 oil, because we'd be paying $12. And if you don't think that would spiral the US economy down the drain you are living in a dream world. What is keeping Nukes form Iran worth? Is it worth gas lines, is it worth many of us not being able to actually even get to work because the military will be taking near the entirety of the gasoline in this country? Is it worth food to become an expensive scarcity because no one can afford to transport it if they can even get their hands on the gas to do it. Because that is what would happen, we'd be in a bidding war with Europe, China and Russia over oil in our own soil and in Canadian soil.
It's not like oil, even though in our's or our neighbors soil is really ours, it is owned by multinational corporations, who have a legal requirement to maximise profits, so they MUST sell to the highest bidder or face legal charges brought by stock holders (isn't that the fatal crux of corporations, even if they want to be patriotic, it's actually illegal for them to be)
We must not allow Israel to attack. If Iran gets nukes, so be it, but they will deal with sanctions, a starving populous and the knowledge that if they ever allow one of their warheads into the hands of a terrorist that hits us or an ally, they will be wiped from existence. This is the same knowledge that Pakistan, North Korea and all of the old Soviet satellite countries have. North Korea is currently trading their program for food, Iran if left isolated may do that down the road too. Iran is not friendly, and them having nukes is a scary thought, but they are not so crazy to commit mass suicide by using one in an attack, and if they are they will be leveled with no recourse by the world leveling powers (Russia/China) because they don't want to end life on earth either.
IMJ - in 1933 international Jewish leaders declared war on Germany, in response to the race quotas imposed by the national socialist government. What followed in the next decade was a gradual marginalization, expulsion, and ultimately internment of Jews. See here for a good documentary that will open your eyes.
Now Jews are declaring war on Iran.
Sorry... here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Judea-Declares-War-Germany-Critical/dp/B000K9JP2A
Israel wants America to use it's heavy lift aircraft , to drop guided bunker buster bombs ( Israel has no heavy lift aircraft); Obama has to say no, if he has any chance of re-election. Israel only other option is their nuclear stockpile, they are going to strike, it is a certain thing; it will take about 5-7 nuclear bombs to take out the Iran enrichment project; Iran will of course retaliate against Israel with their missiles ( they have a large stockpile of very accurate missiles with a range of over 1600 miles); the real question is, do they already have nuclear weapons, many experts say yes; expect gas at the pump of 6-8 dollars a gallon; it is going to be a hell of a ride.
@JoeNY
Actually, that is the opposite stance that Obama has taken since in office. We send more money to Israel than we ever did. In a speech that Obama gave in Cairo, June 4th, 2009, the President said (among other things)
"America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable...."
Israel cannot get along with it's neighbors, it doesn't even try - yet it wants American servicemen and women to spill their blood in Iran - when Iran has not had a dispute with its neighbors, despite being the ONLY Persian - not Arab, country in the region. Iran last started a war in 1804 - it is NOT starting one now, Netanyahu is crazy - he has never wanted peace. Mossad agents don't agree with him - if you need me get you all the links - that will not be a problem.
Israel goes this alone... or (more likely) they dress like an Iranian soldier and plant a bomb on one of our warships in the region - dragging us falsely to their unnecessary war with Iran.
Israel isn't an ally, it's an interest. Don't make the dangerous mistake of confusing the two.
Israel isn't an ally, it's a parasite - even a bigger mistake when confusing the two...
Number One: "Israel is God's people." Iran wants to destroy the Jews! This why they want the BOMB!
Israel must attack first! They are being threathening!!! Islam wants to destroy Christianity, America, What should we do? Read the Book(KJV), it tells the fiture!
Jer"USA"lem Ps. 122:6, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:"
AIPAC has only three "Talking Points" for this annual meeting. The second one is:
" Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism.
Iran finances, arms and trains terrorist groups operating around the world. It is the leading sponsor of Hamas and Hizballah, and is also arming insurgents fighting U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "
Should we, the USA, be concerned over this?
More importantly do we fully understand how dependent our "Intelligence Community" ( how do you spell oxymoron?) is on the information that Israel supplies. I am speaking more of their IDF Unit Yachman. I appreciate the power of their Mossad. Unlike our CIA operatives they are still, by law, able to "roll-the-dice."
Max^108
Your posts are such self-righteous BS. Why don't you call Germany maybe they can rent you the concentration camps. My guess is that you have never studied the Holocaust and you don't have the balls to learn the truth. Enjoy your hate fest one day it will devour your soul.
Hello let me say what a lot of people don't understand is this the situation between Israel and Iran is nothing new. the wars that Israel and the palestinians have been fighting goes all the way back to the days of Abraham and what is happening now is not going to catch Jehovah God by surprise. He has His hand in this thing and no matter what we as a nation does is not going to deter what God has set in motion. this is Bible Prophecy being fulfilled right before our very eyes.and President Obama better be real careful how He sticks His nose in this situation because it will backfire on Him.
The day Israel decides to commit suicide. Obama doesn't care about Israel, other than his need for the US Jewish vote.
Iran already has enough weapons to wipe Israel off the map and has for a very long time.. So the argument that they want to destroy Israel is proven false.. Iran would like to have the world realize that Zionists are the false Jew though.. The synagogue of Satan as Christ warned us about.. They (AshkeNAZI Jews) spit on the ground if you say the name of Jesus.. They hate christians but lie to get their goal. Just ask a real Jew and they will tell you the same.. We have a million of them here.. Real Jews have had protests in New York by the thousands but the Zionist owned media will not report it.. Orthodox Jews do not follow the written word of Moses.. They are Religious fanatics.. They don't have a drop of Semitic blood in their body, yet they claim its their land.. They worship the Talmud which teaches them to lie and hate and steal and murder and rape and worship Satan.. READ IT for yourselves.. Gingrich supports them and converted to them for his marriage.. Get him out of our elections NOW.. They only want one thing.. The temple.. To rebuild and slay the lamb.. We may not be religious, but it does not mean that others are not.. They do exist.. Both sides.. Good and evil.. And their father is the Devil just like Christ said.. They are the Pharisees.. They have already created a cache-less society and we bought it, hook line and stinker all in one generation.. A worldwide cashless system.. Vote for the Republican who understands what constitutional money is and why we should ONLY use it.. Vote for the Republican who will not support Israel with any more of our fiat money.. He has always said, let them do what they want on their own and deal with their own consequences without us.. A solid 40 year record to prove it.. Just follow our constitution and we won't be in this mess, its just that easy.. Vote for the champion of the constitution if were lucky enough to still get this last chance.
Please try to say something intelligent.
I am sure if a country would start publicly saying it would soon attack the US, we would probably pre-emptive strike it and feel right about it.
Max-in 1933 international Jewish leaders declared war on Germany, in response to the race quotas imposed by the national socialist government. What followed in the next decade was a gradual marginalization, expulsion, and ultimately internment of Jews.
I have to disagree with you here.The Nazis were a murderous bunch.And internment was not their ultimate desire,murder was.They slaughtered millions of innocent people.I don't support Israel as anyone reading my posts knows.But that is because of their actions.I don't consider Israel and Jews as the same.Israeli Jews,happen to be Jews,true.But though most Nazis came from Christian backgrounds that doesn't make all Christians Nazis.Israels actions are slowly losing them support all over the world.Even here in the US,on these boards and on the streets.You see more and more people that are through blindly supporting them.Its time the Israelis and their US supporters realize that.
Obama seeks harmony with Israel over Iran attack plan
More like Obama is thinking of ways to insult Netanyahu again and TELL him not to bomb Iran, next thing you know, he will be apologizing to the muslims for him….see, I knew it!
Time to work or time for Iran to complete their mission to wipe Israel off the face of the earth? This is so reminiscent of Iraq and WMD and Obama was wrong about that too!
My Dear Screwdallas2, You sound like you are a very young man, maybe 10 or 12 years old so I can understand why you don't read the posts with an adult view. I'm not going to try and explain to you about history and the concept of making the same mistakes over and over again and being doomed to repeat them. Quit being concerned about over 5 dollar a gallon gas prices. Be concerned about the future generations ability to cope with no house, no electricity, no water, no food, no car ( no road to drive them on). This is a real scenario that has to be taken seriously. As I stated in my previous post, "It's MY on personal opinion".
Hey Max^108, you anti-semite pos, what's it like being a neo-nazi? Rot in hell.
what is not being discussed; Obama, today said, he will attack Iran, if they attempt to build a nuclear weapon; HE HAS NO AUTHORITY, to start ww-3 without congress approval; do not take this lightly, it will unify , the Muslim world, this person is on a power trip and Congress is only worried about, prayer in school, gay rights, abortion; what the hell is going on.
Saxon, you are so right....he went after Libya without congressional approval and no one batted an eye...
Uncle Bob - educate yourself about what really happened, read actual documents, not the propaganda. Here are the transcripts of top secret Nazi conference on the Jewish issue in Wannsee: http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Wannsee_Protocol
West could have saved every single Jew that Germany was trying to get rid of as undesirable population. But they did not want to do that. The West did not allow these Jews to emigrate to countries like England, USA, or Australia.
BTW: I'm not disputing true Nazi crimes - and there were many - but the real picture is quite different than what most people think nowadays.
How many Nukes does Israel posses? Why mainstream media won"t ask this simple question?
What does that have to do with anything? Of course Israel has nukes. We armed them and for good reason. They live in a very dangerous region, with mortal enemies who have stated for 100's of years they want to destroy Israel, literally, living on all sides of them. So, it's OK for Iran to potentially have "defensive use" nuclear weapons but not Israel? If you feel that way, then you obviously don't care if you live in a world dominated by radical tyrants ... the best way to prevent some dumb-ass nation from attacking you is guaranteeing he has no chance in hell of coming out of a future self-initiated conflict completely destroyed, and that ideology has worked everywhere it was implemented out of necessity.
This is a dangerous world, and it is filled with 3 types. Those who seek to harm and lessen life and steal wealth from hard-working, successful nations and spread misery, those who don't give a crap and want others to set the tone for them and for others to make the hard choices and commitments, and those who seek to preserve life and liberty, and spread freedom and suppress tyranny, and will do so at extreme costs of life and money.
yes we armed them ? well if we did then no wonder WHY the world has figured us out as duplicatous hyppocrites who say one thing and do the other . On one hand we believe in nuclear free world and on the other pick and choose who should have or who should not . to top it all if we did allow Israel to keep nukes the we should reap its harvest as now Irael treats the very hand that fed them as Aged parent who can be treated like dirt and gotten away with .
we should remove the israeli nuclear capability and dictate the roadmap based on OUR interest and not theirs
The prize for the most ignorant, sure-to-cause chaos statement for the first week of March 2012 goes to Milton.
But regarding Iran and Nukes. I doubt it will do any good to attack their nuclear facilities as this will only expedite any deterioration of the region. Iran is bound to get nuclear weapons capabilities, one way or another. Either they make a crude home-made something or other themselves, or they scratch up enough cash to pay for one or two delivered to them by a Pakistan or N Korea who too are starving for cash, or others who may have "access" to Russian weapons that were "dismantled" and and/or perhaps "lost".
This is fated to become ugly. The only question is do we and Israel want to let Iran dictate how/when war is initiated and carried out, or do we and Israel want to decide for how to deal with one who wants another holocaust against the Jewish people across the globe. Don't put anything past Ahmadinejad and his twisted "fate" where he believes he is the one to "purge the Jews" (and Christians too if possible) and to spread Islam in their place.
Help, help I'm going to jump from this bridge, I demand that you hold my hand as I jump or I'll jump!
Well Jump Mofo, it'll justify me coming down into the abyss and collecting what's left of you, Oh I forgot I'm out of gas, Broke as the GOP says.
Let us Pray!
Iran will NOT start this war. It has met all obligations put upon them - it is the only reasonable country in this - US/Israel debate. What has Iran done to the US? Resounding silence is all I can hear...
Those of you who want this war - give me your zip code and I will give you directions to the nearest military recruiting office in your area - "put your money where your mouth is!"
S Texan - If Iran wanted a holocaust against the Jewish people, why aren't starting in Iran, where thousands of Jews live peacefully? Iran's problem with Israel is Israels treatment of the Palesinian and Lebanese peoples. Israel has stolen Palestinian land and it illegally occupied Lebanon for 18 years. It still occupies Sheba Farms.
"If I were an Arab leader, I would never sign an agreement with Israel. It is normal; we have taken their country. It is true God promised it to us, but how could that interest them? Our God is not theirs. There has been Anti - Semitism, the Nazis, Hitler, Auschwitz, but was that their fault ? They see but one thing: we have come and we have stolen their country. Why would they accept that?"
David Ben Gurion (first Israeli PM, quoted by Nahum Goldmann in Le Paraddoxe Juif (The Jewish Paradox), pp121.
"We have to kill all the Palestinians unless they are resigned to live here as slaves."
Chairman Heilbrun of the Committee for the Re-election of General Shlomo Lahat, the mayor of Tel Aviv, October 1983.
How about leaving "WE"out of the equasion. This is all Israel's problem, only because Israel is the one threatening massive air strikes and lobbying for America to strike Iran, a country that has not started a war in 180 years. Iran is not now, nor will it ever be, a threat to America. Israel attacked the USS Liberty and was complicit in the 9/11 attacks.
Here is a little time line of Israeli predictions, about Iran's nukes.
1984: Soon after West German engineers visit the unfinished Bushehr nuclear reactor, Jane's Defense Weekly quotes West German intelligence sources saying that Iran's production of a bomb "is entering its final stages." US Senator Alan Cranston claims Iran is seven years away from making a weapon'.
So there were in the 'final stages' of development 28 years ago.
'1992:'Israeli parliamentarian Benjamin Netanyahu tells his colleagues that Iran is 3 to 5 years from being able to produce a nuclear weapon – and that the threat had to be "uprooted by an international front headed by the US"'.
And then three to five years away from a bomb in 1992.
1992: Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres tells French TV that Iran was set to have nuclear warheads by 1999. "Iran is the greatest threat and greatest problem in the Middle East," Peres warned, "because it seeks the nuclear option while holding a highly dangerous stance of extreme religious militancy."
1992: Joseph Alpher, a former official of Israel's Mossad spy agency, says "Iran has to be identified as Enemy No. 1." Iran's nascent nuclear program, he told The New York Times, "really gives Israel the jitters." It appears Israel identified Iran as their #1 enemy before Ahmadinejad was ever in the picture. No one heard of Ahmadinejad in 1992. Wow - Israel had the jitters 20 years ago and Iran does not have a nuclear weapon to this day.
'1995: The New York Times conveys the fears of senior US and Israeli officials that "Iran is much closer to producing nuclear weapons than previously thought" – about five years away – and that Iran’s nuclear bomb is “at the top of the list” of dangers in the coming decade'.
And then five years away tops in 1995.
It appears the Israels like to overstate the threat, much like they overstated the threats from Iraq, which led to the 3 trillion dollar Iraq war. If Iran was so hot for nukes, they would have had them long ago.
Excellent post RalphH - thank you, I hope people take the time to read it. Iran has the largest reserve of fresh water (along with Egypt) in the Mid-East - Israel has slow desalination plants and has depleted most of the large fresh water under Gaza - Iran actually supplies water to Israel but Netanyahu is so war crazy, he has blinders on. One nuclear weapon detonated in Iran has the possibility to destroy Iran's reservoir - how many children (on both sides) will die or get sick from that water - how many children will be "collateral damage" for NOTHING.
I thought only Israel's government was crazy but they must be putting heavy and false propaganda on the citizens of Israel - if the MSNBC numbers are correct (?), the majority wants war?! (if you add the war mongers and the "only if the US is there also" numbers together)
SHUT UP RALPH H. Get a job.
@latekate
Snap out of it.
"Some Obama aides remain suspicious of Netenyahu's motives. They are convinced that he would prefer to see a Republican take control of the White House in 2013..."
Good God- are the Israelis now electing our president too? Who cares what this pipsqueak thinks. Tell him "No War" and send him packing with his tail between his legs.
Young American soldiers should NOT have to shed one more drop of blood for the rich brats in charge in the middle east, who will never get along, ever. If Republicans and Israelis want to fight Iran- let them send THEIR kids to die. Let them pay $10 per gallon at the pump while those who had nothing to do with it pay less.
It should not surprise us that Obama's approach will be to not say anything definite that might cause anyone to even begin to think that he actually has a solid idea in his mind that was thought up by himself and to which he willing to commit. Why, after three years of vacillating, "steer the ship of state toward the rocks rather than away", "I can't keep my eye on the economic much less international scene ball" leadership would anyone expect differently?
Case in point of late - His statements about how the Democrats - being the party of virtue and righteousness - wouldn't take nor sully themselves taking PAC money - but then, when they saw how lucrative the donations were that the Republicans were getting changed their tune to: We have to take Pac money too because "We must save America." or, when he said religious organizations would not be exempt from providing contraceptive coverage to their employees, until his spin masters thought better of the that stance and how irritating the Catholics would loose him votes, then? "SURPRISE, SURPRISE!" (Hear Gomer Pyle) - he is for exempting them. Anybody discerning a pattern here?
The mark of a true leader is that he or she has the ability to make a decision quickly once all the relevant facts have been assembled and then STICK TO IT; not decide, every time some new, unexpected, discomfiting fact comes along that you should revise your position and step back from it.
If the Israelis are hoping to be able rely on Obama to take a strong stand and actually allow himself to be open to - God forbid - actually doing something that he can be personally, directly be associated with (without heaps incorporated "plausible deny-ability" built it and/or multiple potential ways to blame someone else if it goes wrong attached to it, then what they will find is that Israel has come to cease to exist.
Because, you see, the Iranians do not have a similar tendency to vacillate, equivocate and procrastinate; they know exactly what they want and are willing to do whatever it takes; kill whomever gets in their way - they want the total destruction of Israel, its people and then next, the destruction of America - the Great Satan.
Begin students of history the Israelis know full well that giving into vicious, homicidal, sociopathic leaders and cultures didn't work out too well last time for the Jews when they allowed the sit on its hands attitude of America prior to WWII to enable Hitler to get his killing machine up and running at full power. They should also keep in mind that Democratic Presidents and the Democratic party historically has abandoned our allies with gleeful delight - Vietnam, the people of North Korea and "given them" to despotic regimes more than any other party - and then proceeded to re-write history to suggest that they were in fact wise, rather than out of touch with reality and afraid to stand up to bullies.
Why should Obama and company be any different? If I were Israel, I would be think long and very, very hard about listening to someone who has proven himself to be more interested in apologizing for slights that were slights than calling a spade a spade and standing up for America or Israel.
I think we should hold a referendum of our troops, ask them if they want to keep fighting these foregn wars or come home, and then poll them if they want to help the people overthrow the political machine and assist in electing all new members of congress and the senate, Im sure these folks are wondering what the hell we are doing, I know I am, what the hell are we doing sending billions of dollars overseas continuously to all these foreign countries when we cant even feed our own people or control our own borders?
Stoops to conquor wrote - The mark of a true leader is that he or she has the ability to make a decision quickly once all the relevant facts have been assembled and then STICK TO IT; not decide, every time some new, unexpected, discomfiting fact comes along that you should revise your position and step back from it.
So, tell us what are relevant factson which Obama should base his quick opinion. I will give you a few facts:
1. As a signatory of the NPT, Iran' nuclear program is under inspection by the IAEA
2. All 16 of our intelligence agencies have concluded that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program.
3. Iran has a record of not attacking any other country for 180 years. (taking over an embassy is not an attack on a country)
4.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2012/0216/Threats-to-US-Pentagon-officials-drop-three-surprises/Doubts-about-Iran-s-nuclear-ambitions
Doubts about Iran's nuclear ambitions
Despite the hype surrounding Iran’s pursuit of nuclear technology, the country's leaders are “not likely” to develop weapons unless attacked, the panel said.
The same goes for plans to close the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway, according to General Burgess. Though Iran can close the strait (“at least temporarily”), launch missiles, and even tap terrorist surrogates worldwide “if attacked,” military-intelligence officials assess that it is “unlikely to initiate or unintentionally provoke a conflict.”
What’s more, senior intelligence officials expressed some doubt that Iranian officials are actively interested in developing a nuclear weapon.
Said James Clapper, director of national intelligence (DNI): “There are certain things that they have not yet done and have not done for some time.”
On this point, the panel was robustly challenged by some lawmakers. “I’m very convinced that they’re going down the road to developing a nuclear weapon,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) of South Carolina.
Still, the Pentagon officials stuck to their analysis. Though Iran has enough highly enriched uranium to build a weapon “if political leaders chose to do so,” Burgess explained, he said that the prospect of stepped-up sanctions is frightening to Iranian officials. “I don’t think they want a nuclear weapon at any price.”
So, based on the above facts, what should Obama do? Remember, the war in Iraq will cost in excess of 3 trillion dollars and Iraq was a much easiert target than Iran. Also remember, all the reasons given for the war on Iraq by the Zionists were lies.
Not really the Israelis decided on the presidents in the US, but the Jews who are loyal to Israel have influenced/forced for the last 40 years the outcome of the US elections.
The trick is that they put a puppet in the office and blackmail him/her with all the dirty stuff they have against him/her. They rule/run the system in D.C. When the new president starts to understand how things work and who is imposing their will and force decisions in the system, it's already re-election time and the Jews will put another one in the office, if he/she is not playing their game. Clinton did it (he's one of the dirtiest guys out there). His wife as well.
Obama seems that he doesn't like to be pushed around by the Jewish power in DC and bounced back. That's why we had Bibi coming to DC and talking to his people (Congress, Senate, etc). It was a slap in the face of Obama, it was a slap in the face of each American who is not loyal to Israel but to his own country ONLY.
One might ask how much it costs to "own" the US Government. Well, it's very easy. 3.5 billions ... the money Israel gets from the US. That is funneled back into the US to bribe the US politicians and make them sing and play the way the Jewish Lobby wants. They are all puppets.
That's why they don't want Obama anymore, because he started to play his own game, which might not go along with Israel's plans.
Either Obama or Ron Paul are good for American. No other GOPs.
Ralph, you should lay off whatever you've been smoking. Anyone who thinks Iran does not have a nuclear weapons program was either born yesterday, fell of the banana boat yesterday or just plain is into the delights of delusional denial of reality and the truth!
Hey stoops, I am showing you the words of leaders in the Pentagon and our intelligence agencies. Do you know something they do not? It appears you are having a difficult time dealing with the truth and the facts that support the truth. Perhaps some psychiatric help is in order.
February 2011: National intelligence director James Clapper affirms in testimony before Congress that “Iran is keeping the option open to develop nuclear weapons in part by developing various nuclear capabilities and better position it to produce such weapons, should it choose to do so," Mr. Clapper said. "We do not know, however, if Iran will eventually decide to build nuclear weapons."
January 2011: When Meir Dagan steps down as director of Israel’s Mossad spy agency, he says that Iran would not be able to produce a nuclear weapon until 2015. "Israel should not hasten to attack Iran, doing so only when the sword is upon its neck," Mr. Dagan warned. Later he said that attacking Iran would be "a stupid idea.... The regional challenge that Israel would face would be impossible."
See - I guess I am not the only one saying Iran is not producing nuclear weapons.
Ralph, you should around when Neville Chamberlain was at the height of his influence; the two of you would have gotten along swimmingly.
Only an idiot waits until a dog they know is infected with rabies gets to the point it is fully and completely in the throes of the "kill anything in sight" rage stage (as Old Yellar was when locked in the corn crib) to put the rabid dog out of its misery and, by doing so protect all whom it would happily kill if given the chance.
Iran is a rabid dog; its primary goal, which it is currently pursuing with the aid of our "good friends" the Russians is to rip out our throats as well as Israel's using a nuclear dagger.
Perhaps, if you stopped seeking out quotes from people who support your own politically correct world view and develop one based on commonsense observations of the character of the tyrants you are suggesting be given "the benefit of the doubt", you might begin to see the Iranians for what they truly are rather than what you would like to hope they are.
Perhaps you should see Israel for what it really is, a duplicitous, terror state, which has attacked the USA and it's neighbors repeatedly. Israel is the real threat to the world, because of it's large nuclear arsenal.
Iran does not have even one nuclear weapon and according to our intelligence agencies, is not even working to have one. That is not a political view, it is fact. It is a fact that their nuclear enrichment process is monitored by the IAEA. Iran cannot enrich beyond 20% without the whole world knowing, unless they throw out the inspectors, in which case the world would have a reason for concern.
Zionists love to throw out Neville Chamberlain and the word "appeasement" to justify their war mongering. No more wars for Israel. America can not afford to keep supporting the parasites. We have been appeasing Israel for far too long.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2012/0302/War-talk-on-Iran-forces-the-issue-Is-Israel-a-formal-US-ally
According to polls, Americans remain wary of supporting the idea of either Israel or the United States – or both together – attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Perhaps one reason for this hesitancy is the fact that Israel, in a historic choice to rely on itself for defense, has never become an official US ally.
America has no treaty obligation to come to Israel’s defense as it does with many countries in Europe and Asia. This little-known fact may loom large in a meeting Monday between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
RELATED: 5 reasons US must avoid war with Iran
The two men have long differed on how to deal with Iran, especially as a preemptive attack raises more difficult questions than for a traditional war raises. A lack of a formal Israeli-US defense alliance makes it difficult to reconcile their current differences, despite the long friendship and close military cooperation between the two countries.
The Israeli leader, who enjoys wide popularity in the US, has been pressing Mr. Obama to openly threaten Iran with a military strike. And he wants the US to accept Israel’s lower threshold for launching an attack, which would be at the point of Iran simply developing a capability to make an atomic bomb. The pro-Israel lobby in Congress, too, is pushing a bill that would endorse this Israeli view.
AIPAC is a representative of a foreign government and as such, should not be allowed to lobby in the US. No more wars for Israel and cut off all the aid.
That could quickly spiral into a regional conflict that would potentially force the U.S. to intervene to protect its interests. - YEAH like we did not do that in Iraq, Egypt, and Libya. HAHAHAHA.
"force the U.S. to intervene to protect its interest".... I've seen that phrase in several articles. What specific interests does the U.S. have in Israel, other than humanitarian? Unless they're speaking of the U.S. voting block, it's not oil, it's not business investments, it's not arts.... just what interest do we have? We've a great deal invested in Israel, but that's in housing, settlements, agriculture and infrastructure etc.... is this what they mean when they say "interests"? Granted the U.S. has poured billions upon billions into Israel, I'm not sure it's our right to chase after those dollars claiming a right to protect their results.
Thanks WTR
Thanks a reality we should all understand!
If Iraq develops a nuke you can be sure they will eventually use it in the name of allah; or even worse share it with a radical group that will use it on American or European soil. We have no choice but to eliminate that possibility. Once they have the bomb it will be too late so lets make sure that never happens and get this insanity behind us.
It's not Iraq Old Guy
Israel is bullying Iran and the MidEast because it has illegal nukes in its' back pocket which the world has ignored to date. Israel remains the primary instigator of war and unrest in the region because of its' nuke monopoly which is about to be or will be broken. Israel needs to be disarmed of its nukes ASAP or face military intervention from the U.S. and Europe for the greater good of the world and to prevent others from rightfully acquiring nukes in self defense against Israel.
there's a typo in post #6... change the "Q" to an "N" maybe?
Hey old guy, its time to get the cataracts removed... this story is about IRAN, not IRAQ... and yes there is a difference...
Yeah, yeah, 'If Iran has a nuke it will sooner than later use it.' If course the Jewish cut throats who use American supplied F-16S, AH-65D Apache attack helicopter gunships with their horrendous anti-tank AGM-117 Hellfire missiles originally designed to tear into 6" thick Warsaw Pact steel, including 'illegal' munitions, like MK-77 Napalm, and White phospherous munitions that burn people alive where they stand (Operation Cast Lead, Gaza/2008) and have shown no reluctance to use experimental munitions like the horrendous D.I.M.E. anti-personnel weapons on tiny children and their fathers and mothers should be trusted 'NOT' to use nukes on innocent Iranians - What you smoking in that pipe, Pilgrim?!!!
Hey Old guy, exactly what makes you so sure? You don't even know if they will ever get a weapon. I think you just like to pop off.
No more wars for Israel.
a
Israel would be stupid to attack Iran - IT will turn into Islam vs. Israel rather than - Iran will use faith to gain allies. Most Muslim countries don't like Iran - we all know that, but unfortunately most Muslim countries HATE Israel and the US' guts more.
Europe get involved, libya 'reunite' to support Iran, Turkey hate Israel already, and are constantly getting shafter by the EU - China and Russia will see this as a 'money making, arms opportunity' - other Muslim nations would get involved, Pakistan, Afganistan, Iraq, Eygpt - I say worldwar to this bullsh*t.
Don't under estimate Iran, they have a stronger and better equiped army than Iraq, and look what a mess that was..
Jaslam 4164063:
"Behold, I(God) will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto "ALL" the people round about, and they shall be in the seige both against Judah and against Jerusalem."
V3. "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden theselves with it shall be cut in pieces, through all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."
This is what the Book (KJV) has to say on the subject!
Jaslam - We destroyed their army in a week! After that there was an insurgency.
Iraq did not fire one missile. In fact, Iraq destroyed it's best missile as a sow of it's good intentions, but we attacked anyway. I don't think Iran will be as stupid as Saddam and give up their only means of defense. They have many missiles and have some anti aircraft defenses, where Iraq had nothing. In addition, Iran has much tougher terrain, with which to hide it's defenses.
If Israel attacks Iran, I would hope to see Hezbollah and maybe Egypt come in on the side of Iran. There is no way that Iran will be the first to attack. They have stated that repeatedly.
The first one to attack the other country is the one that will have started the war and assume all the costs associated with that war. The US should come in on the side which was attacked, unless of course it was a "false flag" attack.
The Japanese started the war with the US, by attacking Pearl Harbor. Israel started the 1967 war by attacking Egypt, while screaming over the airwaves, we are being attacked.
If Obama kow tows to Israel and participates in an attack on iran inviting WWIII, not only does he lose my vote and me not bothering to even vote, I will actively seek to remove myself from the U.S. for good. The U.S. is an absurd and blatant hypocrite because it allows pipsqueek Israel to be a constant military threat and try to bully the entire MidEast by ignoring its' illegal nukes while screeching obscenely against Iran wanting to legitimately defend itself. Where was the U.S. when Pakistan and India were allowed to acquire nukes?! The only honest, fair, legal, and ethical course of action would be for Obama to declare to the world that Iran and other countries need not acquire nukes because the U.S. now openly declares tht Israel has nukes and is a threat to world peace and that the U.S. will now actively pursue (diplomatic, economic, and military options on the table) the dismantling of Israels illegal nukes with the same urgency it seeks to denuke North Korea.
See ya! You might like Cuba.
bye, retired guy... please remove yourself from the U.S. and do us all a favor.
Remember the USS Liberty. Israel is not our friend.
Oh, blow it out your a$$! That USS Liberty red herring has been beaten to death.
knock it off, for crying out loud.... your tired and played out USS Liberty BS is as obnoxious as it is lacking in historic accuracy.
You can always tell the guys that put Israel ahead of their own country.They dismiss an attack by Israel on Americans as nothing.
Does anyone really think Iran would not retaliate against our troops just because Israel has announced it won't consult with us before launching an attack? The Iranians aren't stupid. Here's the deal: Obama politely tells the Israeli prime minister that we have decided to pull all of our troops out of the region and we would appreciate it if he would delay his attack until the pull-out is complete. If he decides to attack before we leave, we will shoot his planes down.
WTR in Hong Kong: ""force the U.S. to intervene to protect its interest".... I've seen that phrase in several articles. What specific interests does the U.S. have in Israel, other than humanitarian"
Not to get involved in different sides of the debate but only to answer your question. The US interest is mideast oil. Not in Iran or Israel, but if those two countries start tossing missles at each other, other mideast countries will pick sides and may get involved. That is what could destabilize the region and cause US involvement.
A tiny, tiny country thousands of miles away dictating policy to what is otherwise the most powerful country in the world as our President basically kowtows. You could not make this up!
i am not antisemitic and i firmly believe in coexistence with israel in the middle east. still, if israel becomes the aggressor using the bush's proposition of "pre-emptive strike" (that america used in iraq ... as the israelis may invoke regarding iran ...), let them be on their own ... and pay the consequences (that unfortunately will fall on the many israelis that oppose such venture)!!!! mr obama should not allow one drop of blood of american lives for the sake of mr netanyahu hawkish dreams. even if iran is ultimately aiming for non-peaceful nuclear power, they will not use it to be the first to attack israel .... as they know that the country and the ayatollahs would be a memory of the past.
We call it the DEFENSE department, not the OFFENSE department. If the U.S. is attacked, it is the job of DEFENSE to fry every dog, grandma, dictator, religion-crazed MF within the border of the attacker, using whatever weaponry can do the job in the shortest amount of time, leaving not one living, breathing entity to ever give the world trouble again. (Goodbye Adolph.) Otherwise, we have some nation building to do at home that's going to take a few years and some domestic resources. If Israel can't stand on her own two feet and let us take care of our own self inflicted wounds at this critical time, and if she can't deploy a bit of constructive dialogue in her own neighborhood, then perhaps she begins, after all these years of post WW2 posturing, to control her own destiny and benefit or suffer from her own actions accordingly. It's how the rest of the world works.
If I were Netanyahu I wouldn't share any of the specifics of any pending attack on Iran with Obama. He will just betray Netanyahu's confidence anyway. I would just tell Obama "we will do what we have to do and when we need to." Obama is clearly anti-Israel and has been since before he took office. Oh, he said all the right things about Israel when he was running for president in order to solidify the American Jewish vote.................but his heart lies with the Muslim world and not with Israel.
Ron Adolf and your first name should be your last.:)
Yeah Ron, you are in a much better position than the president to say whats in his heart...
...a buncha crock...
"Israel is wary of our President"? Most here in American say the same thing........
$15 Trillion in Debt
How much of that was already there when he took office, genius? Yeah, I thought so...
...most here in America are wary of Israel's actions (if not Israel)!
1ST - the region will not go into an all out war if Israel attacks Iran. Iran has only Syria as a potential military proponent. The other Arab States fear Iran as much as Israel and will only give lip service condemnation.
2ND- we-the US-have as much to fear as Israel if Iran has a nuclear weapon. They have already demonstrated a desire to INFLICT Pain on the US and have the ability to deliver an attack on US military installations in the Middle East .
3RD- we have Treaty agreements several Middle East countries so if Iran attacks them, we are committed to come to their aid with our military might. The Iranians are just crazy enough to think that their having a nuclear weapon might deter the US from doing anything which would be a poor assumption.
Iran doesn't need a nuclear weapon to defend it self! Russia and china are committed to protect Iran if America gets involved. try ww3.
Yes - how much do those bases cost the US a DAY? Why are they there? (rhetorical)... If we pull our service men and women out of the ME and CLOSE our bases, we will not get hurt. Why it Israel so bent on September or October attack - because other forces are leaving as well as some of our own, Israel REALLY wants us to be there and be dragged into this war.
Repost from last week:
Iran is a sovereign nation - it has the right to possess nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons (even though it does not have weapons now). Washington and Tehran do not like each other, but why on earth would US citizens randomly hate an Iranian child or an Iranian family? They have never done anything to us, just like in the US, many Iranians are unhappy with their government - but many US citizens don't see innocent Iranians - they believe that they are all evil, why....?.....
Religious and cultural differences and misunderstandings. Most Americans have never traveled to the Mid-East or ANY foreign country for that matter (before a passport/card was required for travel to Canada and Mexico (2007) around 15% had passports, they now claim that number has risen to 30% but they include the passport card (which can only be used for travel to Canada & Mexico) in that figure, if you subtract the number of "cards," again only around 15% of Americans can travel abroad.
Most Americans have never read the Qur'an or a reputable translation of it. If they read the Qur'an they would most likely find it similar to their own faith, if they visited a foreign land they would realize that people are people.
Islam is not the problem, Muslims are not the problem in the Mid-East or in the US - the problem is that books of faith have been perverted by those in power who are greedy and don't care about the consequences- the Christian Bible gave us the Crusades (including a "crusade" reference to the war in Iraq) whose only purpose was to gain (by conquering and stealing) wealth and kill all who were infidels (Latin for non-believer in Christian faith). The Qur'an has been perverted also by some governments - to steal the wealth and conquer the citizens. The few holding the wealth and power give the majority a bad name - in most cultures.
The US is a very young country and has never understood the complexities of ancient civilizations, we shoot first and ask questions later, we commit war crimes and then say we are allowed too commit them, although previously we were members of The Hague, busily condemning governments of war crimes, many of whom we put in power, - but now we are not members because our government has committed war crimes and refuses to be held accountable - lack of accountability is something a young child would do.
Our motto, One Nation Under God, (and we call Iran a theocracy?!) has given us a sense that we are infallible and collateral damage is acceptable, we are the world's God and they better listen if they don't want to be turned into a parking lot - that is what we have let our country become. That is how we threaten people we do not even know. We started as a vast land, after committing genocide on the Native Americans - stooping so low as to nearly kill off the American buffalo for pre-nuclear "shock and awe", we became a nation, we broke up and brother killed brother, we made up and became the USA. No one can say we have never been up for the kill.
When the history books are written, the US will be a blood stain on the map.
All this fear/war-talk about how the US won't let Iran cut off the Strait of Hormuz .... why are we playing this cat and mouse game? We don't get our oil from Iran, the US led sanctions will raise our oil prices (even though we get most of our oil from Canada) because world demand will be the same but the supply will be less. Of more concern is the effect on oil prices in the economically crippled EU - and our economy suffers when theirs does.
Sanctions/oil - it sounds very sterile but the reality is anything but, - parents in the US who are struggling to pay bills will be forced to chose food verses heat in winter - homeless shelters which are in desperate need of food because of the economic crisis that has left many Americans without a home or food will see a reduction in the meager donations they now rely on - the European Union will face the same fate. Many people are suffering these economic woes today - the toll will rise if the US doesn't stop the sanctions just imposed. Globally - children, especially under the age of 5 will suffer the most, many will die. These sanctions will leave blood on our hands without one bullet being shot - sanctions imposed on Iraq by the US and UK killed an estimated 500,000 Iraqi children (the number could be higher) and an estimated 1 million dead adult civilians.
http://www.globalissues.org/article/707/iraq-post-1991-persian-gulf-warsanctions
So Tehran test fired a missile - is that so absurd, especially considering the recent "mystery" events in Iran? MSNBC failed to mention that in Nov. 2011, satellite photos showed that a missile base in Iran was completely destroyed - the explosion was so loud it was heard 30 miles away, a little over a week later - another large explosion, it's not clear what was exploded. What makes these explosions interesting is that they were not reported in the US news and a week later the Iranians found the US drone. As one American scientist said:
I have to respectfully disagree with posters who believe that Iran goading America and/or Israel with Fear- the US and our virtually state-run media are counting on FEAR. They have stopped using the color code version and are now hyping up the "horror" state of Iran. MSNBC's title of last weeks story: Iran Tests Missile that could hit US bases, Israel - is ridiculous...the word "could" says it all, it's the subjunctive tense, a tense that is based on emotion (want, hope, imagine) - it is not reality. I'm sure Iran can (non-subjunctive) build a missile that could hit a US base, I am also positive that a decent baseball pitcher could stand in Iran and hit a US base with a baseball (see link to map). Iran is virtually surrounded by US bases - so why would the US "Fear" Iran - Iran is trying to level the playing field -Israel's government equals the US in blood-lust and we have a Presidential Election coming up, it's a time when the US likes to bomb sovereign countries and give favors to the Israeli government. Perhaps the US will blow a hole in one of it's destroyers and claim Iran did it, who knows. I only know that it's been Washington and Jerusalem promoting "fear" for a very long time now. The Israeli government wants war and we are their lap dog.
Map of Iran surrounded by US bases:
http://www.businessinsider.com/iran-surrounded-by-us-military-bases-2011-12
Why is the US egging Iran on - who else is unstable and has nuclear capacity? N. Korea, Pakistan and about 20 other countries. Iran did not threaten to close the strait unless they were attacked, nor have they done so, but we are keeping sanctions on them? Why?
In the Jewish faith, a person who commits a crime against another can only be forgiven by God, IF they ask that person for forgiveness and it is granted. Obviously, if one kills another - forgiveness cannot be granted. If only Israel would remember it's own faith. A preemptive strike goes against the Jewish faith - if anyone is actually following it, and not using it as an excuse.
World war 3 ? no leave Israel to its own faith......AMERICA stay out u have your own problems to deal with Afghanistan Iraq Pakistan Russia CHINa
Netanyahu will surely be threatening Obama with the jewish vote this fall. This guy has already publicly disrespected and tried to push the president around numerous times. I hope Obama has the balls to publicly bi*ch slap him back (to Israel).
I look at this situation as: US is the big brother, Israel is the little brother, and Iran as the bully that is just talk. US will of course stand up for little brother but why does little brother have to be so damn mouthy all the time? It is hard to take care of little bro when he and the bully keep picking fights. Has anyone been the big brother in this situation? Sometimes you step in and threaten the bully but sometimes you have to tell your little brother to shut his mouth. The little brother never gets to tell big brother what to do. Big brother will always have little brother's back, but sometimes you leave the room to give little brother to a clear picture of what it would look like if he fought the bully head on. Hopefully little brother shuts his mouth. You don't let little brother draw you into an actual fight.
Because everyone has nukes.
Why are we getting involved in a religious war? There are no winners here. If we just let them have at it with each other, the results will be whatever they will be. If we get acttacked, however, that's a whole different ball game.
Iran has a right to convert their energy infrastructure. They know, and we know that their oil is running out. I seriously doubt they would be stupid enough to start a nuclear war. What I see here is a country that is taunting their idological opponents to start a war. Israel needs to grow up and be much more cooperative. The world isn't about them.
It would be great if the world was as simple as some of the suggestions I'm reading. You have to believe that all allies of the U.S. have their eyes on what we do concerning Israel. We can't just walk away and give that Iranian lunatic free riegn to wipe out any one he pleases. We cannot allow anyone to intimidate us whether it is Israel or Iran. Common sense tells us that Iran has big plans for the Middle East and ultimately their goal would be to enforce their beliefs and politics using the threat of nuclear weapons. If we learned anything from WW11, we should know by now you can't turn your back on any determined nut case, Oil or no oil, the world and humanity cannot afford ruthless manics.
dear jesus: "please do not allow me to read anymore about our destruction before it happens"...amen cincytoy :}....this is serious dammit, and it will likely turn into ww3..u don't think china and/or russia have a huge stake in this massive chess game??
this will easily get out of control...
If only we could tell Israel that they can't drag us into a war and we won't support the war they start - there would be no war.
Better if Iran didn't have nukes, but they have not threatened to attack Israel directly - except in retaliation for a future Israeli strike. They said they the Zionist Regime that controls Jerusalem should be erased from the page of history but did not say that Iran would attack Israel to accomplish this. (The Khomeini quote of Ahmadinejad wiping Israel off the map was a mis-translation - see Washington Post Fact Checker in 2010 that explains this in detail).
Would be better if Iran didn't get nukes - but it is an effective deterrence against a future Israeli attack, which seems likely. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey would want nukes if Iran got them. It wouldn't create a nuclear war - just as crazy, unstable Pakistan hasn't seriously considered using nukes to attack India - its nuclear armed neighbor.
Knocking out Iran's underground nucular capacity (they don't yet have any nukes and say they are only developing nuclear power - would be nice to get them to prove that) would require repeated attacks (by the United States) and would result in a regional war resulting (with Lebanon attacking Israel in retaliation and Syria and Iraq more passively supporting Iran). Beginning this aggression would require a subsequent occupation of Iran by the US. 77 million people - three times the population of Iraq and unlike Iraq united against an invader. Nobody is going to use nukes - regardless of the mass murder dreams of armchair heros. Russia and China are opposed to our invasion of Iran - a factor that has unknown and wide ranging potential consequences.
Launching this war would be a major step to sinking US economic power, standard of living and influence in the world. Would be nice to tell Israel that we want to stop borrowing from the Chinese to give you three billion dollars of free weapons each year and while we will protect you against aggressive and massive attacks by any neighbor,we won't support you if you start a war with Iran. But our politicians don't have the courage to say that in public. If they did, there would be no war.
So he is in town again to lecture POTUS while the AIPAC and the congress cheers him on.
I wonder if Obama will let Netanyahu in the front door this time?
Obama's too preoccupied with taking it in the back door.