Israel Has Until Week's End to Strike Iran,

[Schroeder]

It's not just a concern for the middle east.
Radical groups might get access to nuke material through Iran.... I believe that is by far the bigger danger than an attack on another country by Iran.

[Bilge_Rat]

I don't think Israel is overly worried about Iran's reaction.

In 2007, they were in indirect peace negociations with Syria, Syria has a more powerful army than Iran and is right next door. Yet the IAF still attacked the Syrian nuclear reactor.

There is a line of reasoning, which I agree with, that Iran is in a transitional state. You have a shrinking group of aging religious leaders in control, while the mass of the younger generation is more secular and open to the West. You saw that clash break out in the open after the last election.

There is a window of 5-10 years until the current leaders die off or lose control. The greatest risk is during that window and anything which is done to delay Iran's nuclear program past that window is seen as being in Israel's security interest.

The trick, of course, is how do you carry out an air strike without alienating the younger generation of Iranians? Obviously, anything that would cause a large loss of civilians is unacceptable, but a surgical strike of 1-2 facilities which are choke points for the entire program could be an acceptable risk.

As to what the Iranian reaction could be, it is hard to gauge. Iran and Israel are already in a technical state of war. Iran already funds and supplies paramilitary groups which carry out attacks against Israel. Iran's air force does not have the capability to strike Israel and they would need the consent of neighboring countries to let the Iranian army through. A real threat could come from Iranian scud missiles with poison gas/conventional explosives, but Israel already lived through that in 1991 and again, it could be an acceptable trade-off.

Again, if you look at the Syrian example, Israel imposed a total news blackout after the raid and was very careful not to crow or rub the Syrian's nose in it after the sept. 07 strike. Syria lodged a formal protest, then let the whole thing quietly die without taking any further action.

Having said all that, an airstrike is really a last resort. The Mossad has already been waging its own secret, dirty war using dirty tricks, sabotage, bribes, intimidation, even possibly assasinations to disrupt the program. It is very secret, but you see occasional hints in the news media. It is not pretty and leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth, but sometimes, there is no other alternative.

[Gerald]

On the 21st of August 2010 Iran will put their nuclear reactor on (fitting the nuclear rod is practically putting it on). That means Israel can not bomb it because it would be too dangerous because radiation will spread all over the Persian Gulf including in the water of the Persian Gulf.

John Bolton former US ambassador to the United Nations and a previous Bush adviser said that when Russia put those rods into the Bushehr reactor in Iran, that will be the point of no return. Israel cant attack the reactor then and that would make them (Iran) "imune to assault" as Bolton said.

In 1981 Israel attacked the Iraqi Osirak and the Nuclear plant Syria was building in 2007 before both those places could fit the rod.

http://fromtheold.com/news/politics/...eek-20214.html

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Vendor

On the 21st of August 2010 Iran will put their nuclear reactor on (fitting the nuclear rod is practically putting it on). That means Israel can not bomb it because it would be too dangerous because radiation will spread all over the Persian Gulf including in the water of the Persian Gulf.

John Bolton former US ambassador to the United Nations and a previous Bush adviser said that when Russia put those rods into the Bushehr reactor in Iran, that will be the point of no return. Israel cant attack the reactor then and that would make them (Iran) "imune to assault" as Bolton said.

In 1981 Israel attacked the Iraqi Osirak and the Nuclear plant Syria was building in 2007 before both those places could fit the rod.

http://fromtheold.com/news/politics/...eek-20214.html

These are but some of the reasons we should not listen to Bolton

[Bilge_Rat]

You don't necessarily have to attack the reactor. The reactor will provide the material which will be used to build the bombs. This will most likely be done at another facility.

According to the NYtimes, US administration officials have assured Israel that Iran is still at least 12 months away from being able to produce a weapon:

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, citing evidence of continued troubles inside Iran's nuclear program, has persuaded Israel that it would take roughly a year — and perhaps longer — for Iran to complete what one senior official called a “dash” for a nuclear weapon, according to American officials.

Administration officials said they believe the assessment has dimmed the prospect that Israel would pre-emptively strike against the country’s nuclear facilities within the next year, as Israeli officials have suggested in thinly veiled threats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/wo...policy.html?hp

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Platapus

These are but some of the reasons we should not listen to Bolton

but the scenario could be that an action on their part is unavoidable,but if it takes place or not it can only be speculated

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Is it still your countries policy to reunite the korean peninsula as one country?
Chinas a bit dodgy as the choice was support Taiwan or recognise China.
so which of those nations must remain on the map?
That regime currently in Havana has got to go too hasn't it.




Indeed, can you find the nation known as the German democratic republic on a map now or has it been wiped away. Has that regime in Berlin been consigned to history.

You are confusing regime change and political issues with wiping off the map aka destroying a nation.Iranian President stated he wants to wipe Israel off the map., he was talking about destroying the country.

The GDR was a casualty of the Cold War because the people there wanted a change and reunification.I actually watched a documentary a while back on PBS about life in the GDR.

Reagan was prepared if we had to attack the "Evil Empire" if the US was at risk but did not desire to destroy it and its people as Iran's President has said he would like to do.Lets face, Soviets were rather evil

[Gerald]

SPECIAL REPORT: At some point, Israel and the United States will have to decide: Which is more dangerous — an Iran capable of launching a nuclear weapon? Or, an Iran out for revenge after a preemptive attack? Both scenarios are frightening, but the thought of military action is not far-fetched. FoxNews.com takes an in-depth look at the rock-and-a-hard-place realities of using force to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions.


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...risky-options/



Iranian Military Tech:

http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/sci...-tech/#slide=1

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by Vendor

SPECIAL REPORT: At some point, Israel and the United States will have to decide: Which is more dangerous — an Iran capable of launching a nuclear weapon? Or, an Iran out for revenge after a preemptive attack?

Why not have both, eh?

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Why not have both, eh?

of which it was compressed to one

You are confusing regime change and political issues with wiping off the map aka destroying a nation

Does the German democratic republic exist or has it been wiped from the map?

Iranian President stated he wants to wipe Israel off the map.

Did he really?
Do you mean when he repeated the declaration made originally by Khomeniei?
So you mean the one that doesn't mention Israel or maps
Can you repeat that actual statement please then come back and make your claim again