E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Oliver Weiken / Pool via Reuters
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed up his rhetoric last week with an airstrike targeting a Syrian convoy.
News analysis
It's hard to get a handle on it — few Israelis are willing to talk about it on the record — but there's been a palpable shift in thinking in Israel about launching an airstrike on Iran. Nowhere more than in the counter-terrorism community itself.
Even among the more reasoned — and moderate — voices there, the tone has moved from cautious optimism that an Israeli strike on Iran's uranium enrichment facilities could be avoided to gloomy inevitability.
"It's no longer a question of if but when," replied one Israeli analyst when asked if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond militarily if Iran crossed his "red lines" and acquired a nuclear bomb.
Several analysts ticked off different factors behind the change of heart:
- A growing realization that sanctions — no matter how robust — won't stop Tehran from crossing Netanyahu's "red lines" and posing an existential threat to the nation.
- Fueled by the Arab Spring, a sense of chaos swirling around Israel's borders has led Israelis to vote once again for the tough-minded Netanyahu — albeit in fewer numbers — and to sympathize with his hardline policy of protecting Israel at all costs, with walls, fences, and airstrikes, if necessary.
- There was a belief — call it a hope — that Netanyahu would not "go it alone" against Iran — that President Barack Obama would prevail upon him to avoid any unilateral action that might trigger an unforeseen Arab conflagration against Israel. But some Israeli analysts say that Netanyahu seems much less worried than Obama about a lethal Arab response to an airstrike on Iran.
Only a few months ago the Israeli consensus on Iran felt much different. At the height of last fall's Iran–Israel crisis, former Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak — once Netanyahu's boss in an elite commando unit — not only had the prime minister's ear, but seemed to counter his most hawkish impulses. Then, in late November, Barak quit the cabinet – and Israeli politics.
After elections last month, a new centrist party and leader were swept onto the political scene. Yair Lapid – a charismatic, former news anchorman – was expected to pressure Netanyahu into softer positions. So far, just the opposite has happened.
"It seems that Lapid is not as committed as Bibi (Netanyahu) to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear…(Lapid) is not being regarded as a military authority in Israel and he might not have the weight to balance Bibi," said Dr Boaz Ganor, director of the Herzliya Institute for Counter-Terrorism.
Ganor went on to say that — ultimately — the order to strike Iran will be most influenced by the next Israeli defense minister. It now looks likely that will be the even more hawkish vice premier, Moshe Yaalon (unless Barak returns to the fold).
Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on a convoy the Syrian-Lebanese border Wednesday. NBC's Richard Engel joins Brian Williams with his analysis.
With some reports suggesting that Iran is only months away from a nuclear bomb, the Obama administration is sticking to its support for tough sanctions, but also saying that Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, has backed up his rhetoric: last week, the Israeli Air Force summarily destroyed a Syrian convoy of sophisticated rockets — inside Syria — allegedly heading to Lebanon and into the hands of Hezbollah, a sworn enemy of Israel.
"In Israel, there is wall to wall consent that Israel should do whatever it takes so that Hezbollah does not get access to these dangerous materials," Ganor said.
Will Iran be next?
Jim Maceda is an NBC News foreign correspondent based in London who has just returned from an assignment in Israel.
Related:
Biden: 'Still time' for direct US-Iran talks
Analysis: Israel's airstrike likely to complicate Syria crisis
Surprisingly centrist vote has Netanyahu reaching to the left
Leave a Comment:
I only hold a reproach against Adolph: having not completed his job.
burn in an oven you ass
You miserable scum bag. You look like one of Pinochet degenerates. Wish they had met your mother in a dark alley in downtown Santiago.
Enough already with these Israeli brats.. Just go ahead and do whatever you have on your mind, but do not come and hide under our skirt when Iranians, Lebanese counter attack and beat the crap out of you.
US is sick and tired of Israeli troublemakers.We lost trillions and many young man because of them.
Can't these guys sit on their asses for a while without creating problems?
Iran is not a threat to US, we do not care if Iran does not like Israel policies.. Who does?
Leon Panetta would strongly disagree with you Lan.that Iran is no threat...I guess you didn't read last weeks news...
Lan,
Israel has never done that.
When have we fought in a war with Israel against someone else?
Can anyone think of something more stupid than giving the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt 1.5 billion $$ ? Well, maybe giving the rebels in Syria as much would top it. We having a 'good terrorist/bad terrorist' competition ? Israel might need our weapons, and our money, but, they certainly don't need our advice. And, don't forget - that was on Hillary's watch as well. Then, there's giving the Karzai Drug cartel 20 billion, and giving the Pakistani's (who hate us), another 20 billion. There are 250,000 homeless veterans in this country on any given night. How much did they get ?
File this under "I told you so."
Five years ago, I said that if Obama was elected, he would abandon Israel.
Done.
Veteran,
So true.
Obama is Arming Israels Enemies.
Israel has no choice except to go it alone - even against all odds.
All will go well for her as I have never seen a nation so protected by GOD other than Israel.
Do I get credit for agreeing with you five years ago ? LOL. Four years ago, I said Obama's "hidden agenda" is to get us involved in Africa and Kenya was already a base of operations. I'm beginning to get less flack now.
Israel kicked some serious butt during the '60s "seven day war." Maybe they will need ten days this time, but I think they can get it done. Then they should tell Obama to get lost, declare war on the US, and soak up all the reparation money! (Just like Peter Sellers's "The Mouse that Roared.")
Negotiations fell deaf on Philistines also until David Killed Goliath.
Time for Talk is over..............
Time to Destroy Evil is NOW !
Israel will go it alone and Israel will return Victorious.
GOD protects His own (ISRAEL)
If he is protecting his own he has not done too good a job over the last 2000 years....I wonder if it is because they did not acknowledge his son or maybe because they killed him.
Israel has heavily contributed to the hate in that part of the world against them. They took more land than the original treaty gave them, they have committed numerous war crimes against Palestinians, the have been the aggressors in many of the conflicts, they have ruined as many of the peace talks as the other sides. They continue to settle and develop disputed territory. They don't want peace and never have. The reason they do what they want is because they believe the United States will go to war for them. So if they are willing to go to war alone, they should keep doing what they are doing. I don't think the U.S. should support any country that commits war crime no matter what religion. I am not against Israel nor for them. I just don't agree that we should support a country militarily or financially that refuses to compromise regarding land they stole. They should have to go back within the original treaty lands and allow the Palestinians to return to their ancestral lands like promised. That's the whole reason why Israel is hated. They are denying the "right of return." And by defending Israel's refusal to grant the right of return, the legal right of return, to the Palestinians, The U.S. is acting like the parent of a bully. The bully stole something that didn't belong to him, and the parent is standing on the porch with a shotgun saying, 'My son doesn't steal. If he say it belongs to him, then it does.'
Good post, Sandy. Also, if you read up on Obama, you will discover in his history his apparent and inherant hatred for Colonialism. I think there's a connection.
And where should they build? A population of over 6 million and rising, the most populated place on earth. Egypt has the Sinai peninsula that is open land. They can give some of that land to the so called Palestinians. Why wont any arab nation take some of these people in?
What did Israel steal? The land is theirs, always has been. In 1948 there were 20 thousand people living on that land. The land was useless, no water for irrigation, and very few natural resources. Israel built that country and now you want them to just give it away?
Kevin
I would suggest you do a little more research!
Ask the British how much TERROR the "jews" committed against them in Palestine after WW1! Remember the King David Hotel Bombing? DUH!
The irgun and stern gang ("jewish" TERRORISTS) helped expel over 750 thousand Palestinians alone! Not to mention flat out MURDERED many in villages such as Deir Yassin and 500 more!
Oh yeah, let's not forget about "The Balfour Declaration" from WW1 ("jews" would get the US into WW1 on the side of Britain for a homeland in PALESTINE) Hear Benjamin Freedman's 1961 speech about this vary thing, and more (avail on yt)! And he should know, he was there!
Take your lies elsewhere!
US Army Vet
Marc C. Daniele
Correction, the TERROR against Britain was committed after WW2, not WW1!
Just like the 6 million figure was tried after WW1, but quietly hushed up after knwoing it would not fly! See for yourself, it is documented! This 6 million figure goes back to the 1800's! DUH!
US Army Vet
Marc C. Daniele
You SHILLS make sure you wait until I'm gone to come back with your BS Lies now!
Typical SHILL 101 BS!
US Army Vet
Marc C. Daniele
I hope they HAVE to go it alone -they are the most vengeful and war mongering country on earth. Where were they when our ambassador was killed last year? Sitting home watching. They want war all the time! And people should leave God out of this - he is definitely not in the equation.
CBerry--my guess, on the question of where Israel was whil our ambassador was killed, was they had been ASKED by the US government to stay out of it.
And I'll bet THEY could have gotten help to the Benghazi area in time.
As for Israel being 'vengeful'? they have every reason to be. History has shown that whenever they do NOT respond to terror attacks on Israelis, those attacks just increase.
Israel wants to start the war, draw America in and then sit back and let America do it's dirty work.
HarleMan--Israel has NEVER asked the US to do battle for it. They HAVE asked us to diplomatically help keep other countries OUT of it.
The Israeli military is among the best in the world, and the ONLY reason they have not pre-emptively struck Iran's nuclear research facilities is because they have been asked to wait for 'diplomatic' solutions.
How's that working out for the world?
And does it occur to ANYONE that if Iran gets a nuke, and actually BOMBS Israel, that EVERY country in the area will be adversely affected? Nuclear fallout is subject to the whims of the winds.
Where were we when our Ambassador was killed? Look at a map..we have troops in Italy and did nothing. Another country isn't authorized and can't to come to the aid of our sovereign property unless we request i...your post makes no sense..Israel is the most developed country in the region and has the most to lose if there is a war...the Arabs risk nothing,,,go check out the history of Israeli conflicts 48, 67,73 ..you are truly ignorant
@Harleman - Which might include shooting down nuclear armed bunker busters on Israeli jets heading towards Iran. Knowing it takes 5 chemical reactions and orders to detonate (otherwise just metal), then, asking them to reconsider their intentions. Ya never know.
Oh wait. That takes leadership. We'd have to debate it for 2 months, take a poll on it in twitter, then appoint a committee, then, decide. Just one thought. Israel should'nt try and second-guess this Obama. Then, why should they bother? Israel not real famous for calling us for our permission.
Perry no sovereign nation puts their defense into the hands of another..we never would...nor would the Israelis
Um Geography moron, Libya is thousands of miles from Israel. Where were you? Harelman is as smart as the people who ride Harleys are classy. Whats the difference between a harley and a vacuum? Placement of the dirtbag.
CBerry : I can see that you do not pay attention to the world in which you live. The REASON that Israel will do this is to stop the Nuclear threat to the WORLD not just themselves. We SHOULD help them but this weak minded administration refuses to recognize the threat, just as they refused to recognize the threat in Benghazi. That should have been your question. "WHERE WERE WE WHEN OUR PEOPLE ASKED FOR HELP?" WHERE WAS BARRY AND HILLARY?! The Obama administration tells us that Al Quida is finished - WRONG, They tell us that they will not raise taxes on the middle class - WRONG, they tell us that theirs will be the most "transparent administration in history" - WRONG again! They do not have the fortitude to stand with our allies, our military, or our own people! All they want to do is to push this country off the cliff of a one world economy and eventually a one world system of governance. They trample and spit upon the constitution of this great nation every chance that they get!
And what makes you think in all of your "Infinite Wisdom" that God is NOT IN THIS? Israel is a nation of GODS CHOSEN PEOPLE! Read the fact if you can find it. I believe that it is hidden in the BIBLE! Do you not realize what God TOLD the nation of ISRAEL to do in the bible? Have you ever even opened a bible? I do not presume to know the will of God, but it seems reasonable to me that God would want Israel to defend themselves from a fascist genocidal country who is set on the destruction of Israel.
Israel will never allow us to get involved in a war they are in. They want to win and do just fine on their own. If we get involved they lose. Look how we did in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. We lost because of poor leadership.
Israel was at war the first day they became a country. They won without help from anyone.
Kevin -
Oh yea, I guess they were mass producing tanks and guns of their own?
Kevin's point being no foreign boots on the ground I'm sure...
The real question is "Where was our president and his administration when our ambassador was killed last year?".
Do what you have to Israel, but expect nothing from the POS in the Whitehouse.
Oh_no,
Correct. Israel does indeed produce domestically designed and produced tanks and guns of their own: Merkhava tanks and Uzi machine guns, for example.
All theirs.
@Upstate...
Where was Bush when 3000 Americans died in NY, Washington, and Pennsylvania? Reading fairy takes....and then told us to "go shopping"
There was the real POS in the White House!
Israel is aware of how the 0bama administration stands and is fully capable of dealing with Iran by it self, so be it, so shall it be said, so shall it be done.
11EAGLES--agreed. Obama has DEMONSTRATED an unwillingness to take a hard stand against dictator/radical religious zealots having nukes. Witness that N. Korea is STILL firing missiles, and has a STATED goal of having one that can hit the US.
Any response from this White House?
Iran's fundamentalist govt. is running full bore to get nukes, and Israel is not the ONLY country who should feel threatened by that--just ask Iraq and Syria about THEIR history with Iran.
The vampire zio-nazi yahoo is poised to strike. What the zio-nazis have stole from the Palestinians is not enough. They want complete economic and military domination of the region and will drain as many U.S. tax dollars as is necessary to do so.
Where are the sane, rational Israeli's who see this out of controll monster for what he is.
The Persians are years away from being able to deliver a bomb. yahoo is is drunk on U.S. dollars and will bring you all to his nutty party whether you want it or not.
Chris, very glad you chose the pic you did, but next time why not choose somethinmg thats not smarter than you? You post like a little kid.
Chris : Did your Mommy put your belt on too tight this morning? I am concerned that your oxygen level is dropping off!
Israel should go it alone. They started it let them finish it. I personally hope Iran and Israel blow each other off the map.
billy6900 ; I love the sound of a moron in the morning.What did they start GENIUS? People like you make my skin crawl. You crawl out from under your rock and spout off your liberal uninformed BS and do not even understand the consequences of the story let alone what the story is about. IRAN started this DECADES AGO!! They were told by the U.N. and the world community that they were not allowedto seek nuclear weapons technology, yet they continue to snub their nose at the U.N. and givethe world the finger. WE SHOULD BE HELPING THEM BUT OUR PRESIDENT IS TOO WEAK TO DO IT! Or maybe Barry is just too busy off shooting skeet while he attempts to erode OURsecond amendment rights, maybe he is too busy playing golf or planning he and Michelle's party for this week, while you and I suffer with this economy that he is RUINING! WAKE UP AND GET YOUR FINGER OUT OF YOUR NOSE AND PAY ATTENTION A**HAT
I actually voted for Romney and Bush twice don't call me a liberal I hate liberals. I don't want Iran to have Nukes but I disagree with a lot of what Israel does. They do not follow international rules they do what they want when they want and that is a fact. So if it makes you feel better call me an anti-Semite.
I apologize, but you sure are speaking out of your a** like a liberal. You know as well as I do that this is as much our fault as any body's. We have allowed this to go on for too long. Now there is much more at stake. The threat is very real, and it includes us. Do you think that once Iran get the capability for nukes that we are safe? Why have we stood and done nothing for so long? As far as Israel and them not following International Law, If your neighbor was dead set on your annihilation, and the laws made you less safe what would you do?
I agree James the threat is very real and it is just a matter of time before it is on our doorstep right here at home. We can not allow these terrorists and that is all the Iranian and middle eastern leaders really are is terrorists to have WMD'S. No nukes no dirty bombs no anti-plane missles. I see Israels point they are surrounded by people who flat out despise them. I know they need to protect themselves and I would do the same you are correct.
If anything happens in this, there is one thing that concerns me. If Israel goes it alone and doesn't give us a 'heads up' and let us know what they are about to do, this could put our troops and assets in the region in grave danger and no time to react or respond should Iran decide to keep their promises and retaliate against us. Of course, I realize how quickly we can adapt, but still being caught by surprise is not good. Our pals will probably call us 10 minutes after they go on target. I hope that doesn't happen. It wouldn't surprised me though.
If they did give us a 'heads up' prior to the attack, it would be leaked to the press, or put on twitter instantly, and destroy any element of surprise they might have. Better to let us know after the fact.
Best of luck Israel!
I hope your family wins a vacation to the area when it happens Billy. Happy Ramadan.
Wouldn't go to the land of dunes nor would my family. Let the middle eastern people keep their sand.
I am guessing it would be tough to leave the hovel Billy.
The zionist canker sore of the middle east strikes again. They don't need no stinking international law - that's for everybody else.
wow ..Einstein speaks... "they dont need no".......really? really?
I
Implacable Patriot
The zionist canker sore of the middle east strikes again. They don't need no stinking international law - that's for everybody else.
It disgusts and disturbs me that you would use the name PATRIOT as a part of your screen name
Agree James " "white supremist skin head" might be more appropriate
Um Patriot moron - Israel isn't part of the ICC i.e. International law and neither is America. No doubt your country is part of it.
I am sure Iranian air defense is quite capable, It would be a suicide mission, i doubt if anyone could invade this sovereign country,The thought is truly madness, The madness will escalate to the Straights and i see it also raining down on Israel from all directions.
Name the countries willing to rain down fire on the world's 5th largest nuclear power, all submarine based.
Attack is long over due.... God's speed!!
and this is why global warming will never be a factor .. other than nuclear warming of course .
It obvious to the most casual observer that Muslims do not want peace...peace just isn't a part of the Muslim culture...Muslims fight amongst themselves...this is the same culture that existed with the American Indian culture...the only solution was to wipe out the Indians or forever be at war...same scenario with the Muslims...and then Americans elect a Muslim president...obviously a lot of people don't know about keeping the fox out of the hen house...
It is a shame that Israel sat on its hands waiting the outcome of the election before striking Iran. Israel would have had US support had it bombed before the elections, now it has Obama/Fonda/Oprah to condemn it in every aspect.
Its not like they can't afford this war as the USA has been giving them anout 400 billion a year in foreign aid. I don't understand why my tax dollars are being wasted in this fashion. the USA spends more on foreign aid but ignores the older generation on fixed incomes living day to day and eating cat food. Something wrong with that picture I might add.
3.2 billion
It's 3.2 billion. And, under the Memorandum of Understanding, they spend that money on defense systems and other weaponry with OUR defense contractors. Your tax dollars being spent by elected leaders to the defense industry via Israel that they own stock in and get cash from lobbyists for. Sweet sweet deal.
Hey Chip Oblamo spent a Billion for bombs and refueling operations to free Libya from Momar, what it get for us??? Four tortured and murdered Americans. We let one of our friend Morsi go down the tubes and now we have another MUSLIM extremest regime that we just sent F-16 fighters too (EGYPT)and your complaining that we help the ONLY true friend we have in the region?????
Perry - I don't agree with all your post today, but I do on this one..plus we like using the Israelis to "battle test" our stuff e.g. the iron dome technology..usually they end up making pragmatic, common sense improvements to out over priced and ofetn over engineered hardware.
Israel's greatest liability is Netanyau and his Settlement policy. It makes any peaceful solution with Palestinians impossible and lessens UN support for Israel (and also for Iran sanctions).
He doesn't help but I don't think the arabs would ever agree to permanent peace even if Israel went back to the 67 borders.. looks at the Hamas charter and what Fatah says in Arabic.the Muslims will not abide a jewish state in the middle east..any more than they abide Christians in the middle east witness the plight of the coptic Christians in Egypt or the Lebanese Christians
Even if Israel didn't exist the muslims would be wanting to wipe another country out .It's how they roll .
Israel and the US appear to the be the only countries in the history of mankind to have successfully commited genocide upon other peoples. All in the name of some God no one but them have ever even came close to seeing.
I guess you do not read any books, can you say Japan on Chinese, can you see say Germans on numerous nations. Not to mention the numerous governments around the world that comitted genocide on their own people like Stalin on the Russians 20 MILLION!!!! Change your screen name to dumbat.
@Unarmed...
Spoken like the true buffoon you are.
Definately not armed with a brain .
Israel is bold only because it believes it has the USA in it's pocket. Israel has demonstrated its inability to achieve peace with anyone except America. Maybe that's because there are so many rich Jews living here. So long as Israel acts like the block bully, things will be tense. I for one would not want to waste more American lives and resources to defend Israel if it attacks Iran. Unless Israel has the capability to wage its own war with Iran, it better think long and hard about "casting the first stone".
wow "Clueless" would be a kind description of your comment..let's see...peace deal with Egypt.peace deal with Jordan...Israel is not looking for you to send one soldier or one dollar if it attacks Iran ....if Iran retaliates by attacking U.S. interests that is the fault of the Iranians not the Israelis..geez..
Israel won't admit it, but, one of their biggest fears is what is being stored underground in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon being guarded by Hezbolah and Syrian troops. Fat chance of the Syrians or Hezbolah to try and move any of it. Think they found that out lately when they tried it in Syria heading towards Lebanon.
The chemical and biological weapons are a big fear..and to us too...what if they get loose ..I"m sure to the al queda elements in Syria those weapons are the prize..they are salivating at the chance to get and use them..if you are willing to blow yourself up..it not much of a leap to be willing to cause horrific casualties through the use of chemical and biological weapons..I hope our covert operations are a lot more competent than they appear.
Israel AND THE Palestinians ARE THE WORLD WORST TERRORISTS IN THE WORLD , they are going to be the cause of WW3 , with arrogant and the terrorists leaders they both have , Israel thanks to our Conservatives preachers think they are God childrens and the rest of the world were put on earth to serve them , I am not saying that , read what the highest Rabbi said in Israel , he said that , not me , and then you got the war monger Netenyahu and with the help of the war monger McCain and his amigos Lieberman and Graham , and boy you have have got a team there . we need to get rid of all these politicians that think Israel comes first and the hell with our country .
Neither Israel nor the Palestinians for that matter are responsible for the rise of radical islamists and jihaadists who care not a whit about Palestine or Israel..what they care about is destroying western culture and other religions...Israel and the Palestinians could disappear tomorrow and the islamo facists in Iran, the greater middle eat and africa would be still trying to destroy us..look at 911...why don't you get that?