You can bet your sweet ass they will, if the Pentagon doesn't do it first:
The Pentagon is looking into the possibility of Israel launching a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. In the past months there were several working-level discussions trying to map out the possible scenarios for such an attack, according to administration sources who were briefed on these meetings.
The discussions, which were describes as intelligence-oriented and not policy-oriented, examined the likelihood of an Israeli pre-emptive attack against Iran and the method in which such an attack could be carried out. One of the main questions presented in these discussions was whether Israel would inform the US in advance in case such an attack is to take place and when would such an advance notice be given.
The sources pointed out that it is clear that Israel would have to coordinate with the US forces air control any attempt to fly over Iraq on the way to Iran, if Israel chooses to attack using the shortest route.
The American assumption, according to the administration sources, is that an Israeli decision on attacking Iran is not imminent and that in any case it would not be taken before the Israeli elections, scheduled for March 28.
One of the questions Pentagon analysts are grappling with is how an Israeli attack - if launched - would affect the US and its forces in the region and whether it would force the US to follow with further strikes in order to complete the mission. The US is also discussing what could be the possible avenues of retaliation Iran would take against US's forces and interests in the region.
US Vice President Dick Cheney said last week that all options are "on the table" regarding Iran and on Sunday leading senators pointed out in TV interviews that the US can stop Iran's nuclear program. Senator George Allen (R-VA) said, relating to the question of using military force against Iran, that it is not the preferable route, but "if necessary, it is an option", and Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) stressed that he believed that Iran's nuclear program can be stopped "short of war".
5 comments:
I still want to sponsor a Google Earth fill in the blanks contest for what will have been Iran. Any fellow Ultimate Insulters feel like it? I have to fly out of town tomorrow and will be checking in, but not with my regular frequency (obsession).
There is only one thing worse than attacking Iran (barring the miracle that they actually STOP trying to get a nuke)..NOT DOING IT.
Biden has finally earned the Juan Cole stupidity while pompous award. One is forced to wonder on what basis he believes Iran can be stopped short of war?
The success of sanctions in Iraq (Killing more than the actual shooting war?), the succes of sanctions against Japan in the late thirties thru 41? The moderates in Iran? Their willingness to eschew violence (Hizbollah) against Israel?
Moron
The only thing Biden cares about is garnering votes. Can't stand him and his self-rigtheous pompousness.
Israel must do what she has to for self-preservation.
I'd love to see one wee bunker buster going straight down into the well that the Mahdi is supposed to come crawling out of. . .
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