''There's only one superpower in the world that can carry this off..." Those are the exact words of last year's top intelligence official in the Air Force who planned the air campaigns in Afghanistan and the Gulf War, General David Deptula when speaking as to whether Israel should strike Iran.
And what does the conservative media report on this today? That the Obama administration is anti-Israel, trying to hurt Israel, and trying to help Iran! Ridiculous.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reportedly believes that there is a strong likelihood that Israel will attack Iran. Is he foreshadowing an actual plan by Israel to attack Iran? Is Israel just threatening? Was Panetta calling Iran's bluff? Or letting Iran know that the hatred toward Israel won't be taken lightly?
When the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who are neither the president's tools nor running for any office, advised Israel, it was based on facts and their level of experience. There are several reasons that the top U.S. military brass, defense officials, military analysts close to the Pentagon, and the British foreign secretary all agreed to one conclusion: An Israeli attack of Iran would destabilize the region and would not be wise. Nor, if you look at the facts, will Israel have the capacity to do this…
- Israeli pilots would have to fly more than 1,600 kilometers across unfriendly airspace, refueling in the air, fighting off Iran's air defense, attacking multiple underground sites at the same time, and using at least 100 planes.
- Israel would have to strike Iran's four major nuclear sites. How do they get there? The most direct path is across Jordan and Iraq. Will Jordan allow Israel to fly over?
- How about the distance? Israel has U.S. built F-151 and F-161 fighter jets that can carry bombs to targets, but their range does not reach the 3,200 kilometer round trip distance needed.
- And what about the bombs being used and their ability to penetrate those facilities? Israel's bombs are U.S. made GBU-28 2,200 kilogram bunker buster bombs that can damage those types of targets, but how much damage can be done when Natanz and Fordo, two of the four major nuclear sites are physically built into mountains?
[See a collection of political cartoons on Iran.]
Israel is no friend of Iran, that's no secret. And Iran does not accept Israel as a sovereign state, it denies not only their existence, but the validity of the Holocaust; their leader has threatened to wipe Israel from the map. But....Israel blames Iran for blasts in Georgia, India, and Thailand; although Iran has not taken responsibility, nor has Iran attacked Israel directly.
The problem here is not the United States not supporting Israel. The problem is what comes after the first strike. We're talking about nuclear and potentially biological warfare. Will Russia and China stand by? What about the Arab/Muslim world? Will they? And will America have to finish this job?
If you want the president to be guaranteed re-election, push Israel to attack Iran. No American will vote out an incumbent when we're in the midst of war.
[See pictures of Iran participating in war games.]
But politics aside, can America financially afford to be involved in another war? And more importantly, can we afford the loss of human life among our troops and innocent men, women, and children in Israel and Iran?
The Art of War says the element of surprise is key in winning a battle. If that is true, Israel already showed Iran their hand. And if the joint chiefs and our Defense Department is right, Israel's not ready for this battle; nor should we be.
- Check out U.S. News Weekly: An insider's guide to politics and policy
- Read the U.S. News debate: Was The Iraq War Worth It?
- See a collection of political cartoons on the turmoil in the Middle East.
Reader Comments Read all comments (12)
Hooper of FL 8:20AM September 09, 2012
I hope 4:43AM February 25, 2012
RufferinAK of AK 10:10PM February 24, 2012