Bush Administration Got One Right with Rebuff of Israeli Requests for Aid to Attack Iran
Filed under: Bush Foreign Policy, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The New York Times is reporting that Israel asked the U.S. for special munitions and overflight privileges over Iraq last year in either an effort to launch its own raid against Iranian nuclear sites or to goad the Bush Administration in taking an offensive action against Iran before the expiration of George W. Bush’s term. According to the Times report, the Israelis were refused on both accounts, but an increase in intelligence has begun with respect to Iran.
At some point, perhaps in the near future, a U.S. president will have to make the decision on whether or not to take out Iranian nuclear sites. Let’s say it’s a given that a nuclear-armed Iran is untenable. If the U.S. is to be involved at all in removing such a capability were it to exist, the worst thing we could do is to aid any Israeli effort to take out Iranian nuclear sites. If and when action is taken it needs to be either the Americans or the Israelis, preferably the Americans who make the move.
The Middle East is enflamed enough with anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiments that we don’t need to tie ourselves any more than necessary to the Israeli millstone.
Israeli-Gaza Update Sunday a.m. | Ground War | Jan. 4
- Israeli troops bisect Gaza – New York Times
- Israeli Govt: No intention of taking over Gaza – Jerusalem Post
- Civilians die in Gaza fighting – al-Jazeera
- Civilian toll rises; operation could take days – Reuters
- Bodies of Hamas leader’s children paraded – Daily Mail (U.K.)
- Egypt condemns Gaza attack – Bloomberg
- Gaza attacks further split Arab rulers, people – Washington Post
- Analysis: Invasion a double-edged sword – Washington Post
News Update: Israeli Attacks on Gaza Going on One Week; Tanks, Troops Mass on Border
Israelis worry Dimona nuke facility in range of Hamas rockets – Times of London- Tank crews on border await orders to move in – Bloomberg
- How Hamas is altering Israeli politics - Christian Science Monitor
- Israel kills top Hamas leader Rayyan – Jerusalem Post
- Top Hamas leader & family killed by Israelis – al-Jazeera
- IDF strikes Holfe Mosque – Jerusalem Post
- Egypt FM: Hamas gave reason for Israel to attack – Haaretz
- Israel pursues diplomacy but presses attack – New York Times
Israeli attack on Iran a foregone conclusion?
- Benny Morris: Using bombs to stave off war – New York Times