Israel Daily News Stream 03/06/2012
March 6, 2012 15:25 by Pesach Benson
Everything you need to know about today’s media coverage of Israel and the Mideast.
PM Netanyahu goes to Washington. IAEA expresses more concerns about military potential of Iran’s nuclear program. Syrian forces turn their attention to the rebel-controlled city of Rastan.
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Iranian Atomic Urgency
• The entire US intelligence community is convinced that Israel will attack Iran. The Times of Israel writes:
The Channel 2 report claimed that the US and Israel are deeply at odds over the consequences of the purportedly planned Israeli attack. The Americans are warning that an Israeli strike at Iran’s nuclear facilities will trigger a regional war and possibly even World War III. Their assessment is that the Arab states will join the war against Israel, under pressure from the Arab “street.”
The Americans foresee a scenario in which Israel would be attacked with thousands of missiles, causing thousands of fatalities, the report continued. Ben-Gurion Airport would shut down and the stock market would crash, causing a critical blow to the Israeli economy . . .
In response, Channel 2 reported, sources in the prime minister’s circle dismissed the ostensible nightmare scenario as being part of an American effort to constrain Israel from making any decision to attack.
• The IAEA’s concerned about Iran tripling its monthly production of enriched uranium. Reuters writes:
“The agency continues to have serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme,” Mr Amano told the closed-door meeting, according to a copy of his speech.
The agency “is unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities”, he added.
• Israeli Military Industries has developed its own bunker-buster bomb. Details at YNet.
• We have old issues with Dave Brown, but you can’t help but smile at his latest cartoon in The Independent.
• Netanyahu and Obama: Details, details, details.
• Staff-eds weigh in on the summit. The Financial Times (via Google News) is disappointed that Obama’s not more “robust” with Israel on Iranian and Palestinian issues. A mealy-mouthed NY Times worries that diplomacy and sanctions won’t curb the Iranians and further frets that military action will be messy. The Guardian and Toronto Star also call for restraint. The Washington Post is more measured.
• For more commentary/analysis of Netanyahu in Washington, see Eli Lake, the LA Times, Bret Stephens (WSJ via Google News), Anthony Cordesman (CNN), Wolf Blitzer, and Benny Avni. But Tim Marshall‘s take is the one most worth reading.
Frank Adam
6:38 pm
Mar 06, 2012
If Israel really does have 200 Nukes – or 400 – it has enough to ruin the Arab World and Iran – holy cities and Al Ahzar Moslem university included. So we are back to Cold War MAD, and the ayatollahs do want to survive to inflict their sad clericall fascist Twelver Shi’ism on the entire World.
Israel should NOT start this war as it will be hypocritically castigated and left to dry out economically boycotted and worse even if it is successful. Further the US will be damned as Israel’s patron whether they help Israel or not, which will not help Israel’s survival afterwards either.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Yair
3:26 pm
Mar 07, 2012
Iran started this war long ago. Sooner or later we will need to finish it.
Agree or Disagree:
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Steve Edelman
9:17 pm
Mar 06, 2012
Israel should attack the Iranian Guard, the army of the Ayatollah.
The entire army is just open fodder for an air strike. The Generals
in their headquarters on down to the lowest rank could be wiped out
by one attack. The result would be the Ayatollah and his ruling puppets
would be without control and a FREE people will emerge. Then
Iran can be a legitimate nation, without them feeding the terrorist
organizations in the Middle East,….Peace may be attained.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
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Jacob T Chachkes, M.D.
11:32 pm
Mar 06, 2012
IF the ‘Guard’ is as vulnerable as you say, admirable idea. Wonder how Khamani might react? Or the rest of the Shiite world? IMHO good beginning. Potential Armageddon no matter what is or is not done, IMHO. Do not know how the Muslims of the world might react, given the reaction to burning the Qur’an.
Agree or Disagree:
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Steve Edelman
12:23 am
Mar 07, 2012
Based upon U.S.Military reports, The Revolutionary Guard is vulnerable.
Many of our Generals want to do this with the U.S.A.F. The Iranian Nuclear program
would have no value without a military. There have been many reports of an uprising of the Iranian people, but the boot of the guard has always stopped it. Without the Guard, The Shiites
would be free from the Thugocracy. of the Ayatollah and the Sunnis and the other Muslims.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
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Len Kurtz
7:05 pm
Jun 17, 2012
It is all just a game. U.S. doctrine: war is better than peace for business. The U.S. wants a strong Israel up to a point. When it gets too strong or dominating, the U.S. starts the demonization wheel going. It does not want complete Israeli victory because that would be bad for business. It does not want an Israel defeat because it needs it to keep the situation in the Middle East agitated, again good for business. It is a balancing act to keep Israel in the forefront in the Middle East. Those really in power in U.S. have no love for Israel. It’s all business. Obama is just a tool; just like George W. Bush. Who is in power? Just consider those that benefit the most from chaotic situation
Agree or Disagree:
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