The Drudge Report is being told by sources with the UK Sunday Times that the paper will be dropping a story that Israel is drawing up plans for a nuclear strike on Iran's uranium enrichment facilities. Before we get too excited, let's give this a thorough look.
I'm a great believer that the lion's share of leaks to the media are done on purpose by the governments in question to send a message to the enemy. It could be that a peacenik in the Israeli government leaked this info in order to try and stop it, but I think more likely the Israel government (or the American/British governments) leaked this information as a way to send a message to Iran: if the U.N. fails to stop you (which of course they will), there's always the Israeli nuclear option. A sort of second-coming of Menachem Begin. You also have to look at the timing. The Ayatollah is either dead or dying. A power-struggle in Iran is going on as we speak... this would give them plenty to think about.
Reliapundit adds: I think that there is GREAT concern that many of the nuclear sites in Iran are very deep and very well reinforced and that NOTHING short of a nuke can destroy them. If it takes a nuke to do it, then I am all for it. Before Iran gets any nukes would be a big plus...
My gut tells me that - based on how things have gone the last year or so --- (what with Olmert pansy-assing out against Hizballah, and Bush failing to get tough enough against NOKO, IRAN or ASSAD or Mookie al Sadr) - -- that nobody on the our side HAS BALLS BIG ENOUGH TO NUKE IRAN. Which is sorta what the mullahs are counting on. Arik Sharon had big enough balls. And so did FDR and Truman and Churchill. So you are right Popinjay: this is probably PR/BS designed to send Iran a signal. One they will snicker about and ignore.
UPDATE: Reliapundit adds - MEMEORANDUM has a complete round up. And they now have a link to the TIMES ARTICLE. EXCERPT:
I'm a great believer that the lion's share of leaks to the media are done on purpose by the governments in question to send a message to the enemy. It could be that a peacenik in the Israeli government leaked this info in order to try and stop it, but I think more likely the Israel government (or the American/British governments) leaked this information as a way to send a message to Iran: if the U.N. fails to stop you (which of course they will), there's always the Israeli nuclear option. A sort of second-coming of Menachem Begin. You also have to look at the timing. The Ayatollah is either dead or dying. A power-struggle in Iran is going on as we speak... this would give them plenty to think about.
Reliapundit adds: I think that there is GREAT concern that many of the nuclear sites in Iran are very deep and very well reinforced and that NOTHING short of a nuke can destroy them. If it takes a nuke to do it, then I am all for it. Before Iran gets any nukes would be a big plus...
My gut tells me that - based on how things have gone the last year or so --- (what with Olmert pansy-assing out against Hizballah, and Bush failing to get tough enough against NOKO, IRAN or ASSAD or Mookie al Sadr) - -- that nobody on the our side HAS BALLS BIG ENOUGH TO NUKE IRAN. Which is sorta what the mullahs are counting on. Arik Sharon had big enough balls. And so did FDR and Truman and Churchill. So you are right Popinjay: this is probably PR/BS designed to send Iran a signal. One they will snicker about and ignore.
UPDATE: Reliapundit adds - MEMEORANDUM has a complete round up. And they now have a link to the TIMES ARTICLE. EXCERPT:
Israeli military commanders believe conventional strikes may no longer be enough to annihilate increasingly well-defended enrichment facilities. Several have been built beneath at least 70ft of concrete and rock.Exactly what I said above.
Maybe the Olmert govenment will fall and Netanyahu will come back. Do you think Netanyahu would dop the big one on Iran nukes?
ReplyDeletebibi has grown balls.
ReplyDeletewhen sharon split, he allowed the likud to become a remnant which maintained a hard-line.
i think sharon had balls.
olmert has none.
bush had balls of steel but they seem to have gotten rusty.
Great stuff, it's in and you're linked!
ReplyDeleteabsurd thought -
God of the Universe says
let NEW Hitler have nukes
don't fear his religion
he really loves Israel
.