Israel Prodding U.S. To Attack Iran

(CBS)  Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen leaves Tuesday night on an overseas trip that will take him to Israel, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin. The trip has been scheduled for some time but U.S. officials say it comes just as the Israelis are mounting a full court press to get the Bush administration to strike Iran's nuclear complex.

CBS consultant Michael Oren says Israel doesn't want to wait for a new administration.

"The Israelis have been assured by the Bush administration that the Bush administration will not allow Iran to nuclearize," Oren said. "Israelis are uncertain about what would be the policies of the next administration vis-à-vis Iran."

Israel's message is simple: If you don't, we will. Israel held a dress rehearsal for a strike earlier this month, but military analysts say Israel can not do it alone.

"Keep in mind that Israel does not have strategic bombers," Oren said. "The Israeli Air Force is not the American Air Force. Israel can not eliminate Iran's nuclear program."

The U.S. with its stealth bombers and cruise missiles has a much greater capability. Vice President Cheney is said to favor a strike, but both Mullen and Defense Secretary Gates are opposed to an attack which could touch off a third war in the region.

U.S. intelligence estimates Iran won't be able to build a weapon until sometime early in the next decade. But Israel is operating on a much shorter timetable.

"The Iranians, according to Israeli security sources, will have an operable nuclear weapon by 2009. That's not a very long time," Oren said.

For now, the Bush administration is counting on new economic sanctions which took effect Tuesday to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear program. But nobody's counting on it.

[samsel3]

In the Daily telegraph, July 22, 2007 Condoleeza Rice stated her main objective in the middle east was not to push a ceasefire in Lebanon, but to cause an isolation of Syria and Iran. The strategic objective is all tied to oil and oil pipelines.
The Israel Turkey pipeline has been in the works for some time now. In April of 2006 Israel & Turkey made their announcement which included four pipelines which will bypass Syria & Lebanon. The source of the oil is the BTC pipeline from the Caspian Sea Region. Shareholders in the BTC pipeline are: British Petroleum, AzBTC, Chevron, Statoil, TPAO, ENI, Total, Itochu, INPEX, ConocoPhillips & Amerada Hess. Another very important factor on the war with Lebanon is that Israel will have a strategic role in protecting the pipeline and transportation corridor out of Ceyhan Turkey. The strategy will weaken Russian oil''s role in central asia and also isolate Iran.

[samsel3]

This story about Israeli jets poised to attack Iran is pure BULL, and another attempt by the Bush administration for support to attack Iran. The truth about these air missions is that Israel will be protecting air space from Ceyran, Turkey to Ashkelon down the coast for the four new oil & gas pipelines being built. Product will be piped through Israel to the Red Sea and exported to Asian markets. So much for the administrations attempt at Fear Mongering.

[rcjkcct1]

Since you all are so ignorant to the facts, I give you this. God had Blessed America for such a long time, but the way things going on in this country where we taking God, prayers and even the symbol of a Cross out of school and public. God will leave us as well. It is mention in the Bible, if we don''t help Israel out, God will seek and get help somewhere else and those who do not help will perish.

[greatdrivew]

Zionists aren''t happy unless they''re goading a war somewhere.

What has Barack promised them today???

[bbrundj]

Let Supreme Court, and other liberalized judges decide. I mean, they''re so bold and full of integrity. I mean, they are REAL men.

[rcjkcct1]

Israel never dictate what US should do, its the US who tell Israel what to do. You haters need to quick spinning things. Regardless if US help out or not, Israel will take care of business. Just for you haters, Israel brought the land from the Turks. The Turks thought the land was a waste and desolate place which it was doing that time. All who had occupied the land could not grow any vegetation so it was sold to the Jews. Now look what the Jews did to the land? it is rich and fruitful and now you haters crying foul. You all need to truly realized the God of Israel is God (Blessed his Holy name)...Amen

[fillibuster2]

Earth56,
This swampland in arizona...how much per acre? I need some good hunting land. Does it come with a bridge across the deep water or no?

o

[fillibuster2]

I say we go in and do the job with Israel. We should''ve done it with Saddam, and 15 years later we had to redo it. Finish off the problem now, and call it good. Bomb them even further into the stone age, and take care of the nuclear problem.

o

[lovegetpeace]

Folks,
On May 15, 1948, the American President advocated the creation of the State of Israel in the heart of the Muslim Middle-East. 2 years later, 4.5 millions Palestinians were forced out of their homes and lands without compensation.

I am not going to say that this is Terrorism but I will say America is bleeding Treasury and blood because of one religious decision 60 years ago. This bleeding keeps exploding with our continue UnConditional Support to Israel. I cannot believe America cares much more about Israel than of ourselves.

2 weeks after 9/11, Osama Bin Ladin released his 1st video. In the video, he clearly listed the top 3 reasons for bombing the twin towers. The 1st reason was the US military base 60 miles from their Muslim''''s holy Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The 2nd reason was the Palestine crisis. Now, Bush wants a State of Palestine. Osama is really winning BIG here.

On Osama Bin Ladin 2nd released video, Osama states that they will destroy America Economically and not Militarily. So far, Osama is really winning Big here.

According to our US State Department, Anti-Semitics is exploding around the world:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1334791720080314?feedType=RSSfeedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true

I blame only the Zionists inside Israel and America.

[sisyphus00]

I say let Israel "go it alone". I''m SICK of letting them dictate to the US how they want us to behave. Screw them, let their be belligerent and leave us out of it.