Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Several American officials said the Israeli exercise appeared to be an effort to develop the military’s capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran’s nuclear program.
More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters participated in the maneuvers, which were carried out over the eastern Mediterranean and over Greece during the first week of June, American officials said.
The exercise also included Israeli helicopters that could be used to rescue downed pilots. The helicopters and refueling tankers flew more than 900 miles, which is about the same distance between Israel and Iran’s uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, American officials said.
What would the United States do if an oil-rich country within 1000 miles of its borders was using its oil-wealth to (1) develop delieverable nuclear weapons and was at the same time, (2) inciting its population and its neighbors to hate the United States and attack the United States, and (3) telling the World that it was going to destroy the United States?
What I question about Israel’s actions is their timing. Is this the time to be signalling concern and intent through what can be perceivedf by some as preparations for an attack? Would such an attack better serve Irael or would it play into the hands of the Muslim ‘crazies?’
If Israel is attacked with nuclear weapons by a Muslim nation, it can wipe out every major city in that nation with nuclear weapons within a 24-hour period of time. That is a message that Israel needs to make, “plain and clear,” to its Muslim enemies.
The timing of Israel’s actions is driven by the US election. If BHO should be elected, Israel will need to act by the end of the year in order to have at least tacit US political and military support. Should it be a McCain administration, they will have more time. However, they must be ready for either outcome. Israel simply does not have the luxury of depending on Winnie the Pooh and Tigger to protect them.
Arab national leaders have to step carefully here. They don’t want to inflame their resident “crazies.” However, it seems clear that they would be quietly pleased if Israel were to take out Iran’s nuclear weaponry. They understand that the threat is not primarily against Israel; the implication of Ahmadinejad’s wanting to be the Big Man in the Muslim neighborhood is obvious.
Exactly, Katherine. In the Middle East, the enemy of my rival is my friend.
AnglicanFirst – You’re forgetting Israel’s “never again” philosophy. Why should they wait until Tel Aviv is a smoking, radioactive hole to retaliate? How many more millions of Jews need to die before the world takes a meglomaniacal dictator at his word and strikes before he has a chance to act?