so who's asking u.s. to drink the nuclear kool-aid?

Israeli Security Officials Oppose Iran Strike


The biggest danger of an Israeli strike against Iran is the big mouths of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, an unnamed senior Israeli source told the daily {Yedioth Ahronoth}.


"This may not be an act. Their statements are problematic," the senior source said. "The main problem is that Netanyahu simply doesn't trust Obama in this matter."


Another senior political source told {Yedioth} that the majority of Israel's defense chiefs, as well as the so-called security forum of Netanyahu's cabinet, are against a military strike on Iran at this time; these include Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, and several of the Mossad's section chiefs. 


Of the nine members of the security forum, only Netanyahu, Barak, and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman support an attack, while Vice Premier Moshe Yaalon, Kadima Chairman Shaul Mofaz, and Ministers Dan Meridor, Benny Begin, Eli Yishai, and Yuval Steinitz are against it.


"Without Gantz's support, the chances of mounting a strike are slim," {Yedioth}'s source said. "Israel has to push the international community to impose further sanctions on the Iranian economy. That's what's important right now.... The sanctions should reduce the Iranian economy to rubble. The United States and Europe still seem hesitant on that, mostly for political reasons and a fear of soaring oil prices. We still have to see where the nuclear negotiations are going, but nothing seems to be happening there -- and the Iranians are still pursuing enrichment activities," he said. 


--- Syria Fiasco, Iran Disaster?


The arrogance and recklessness of Defense Minister Ehud Barak with respect to launching a strike against Iran could lead to a "Third World War," warned Israeli elder literary figure, Amnon Shamosh, in today's {Yedioth Ahronoth}. In his op-ed, Shamosh first criticizes those who thought the Syrian regime would easily fall, because they underestimated the fact that "most Syrians -- Alawites, secular Sunnis, Christians, Druze, Armenians, and Kurds" still support the government. 


Also, he said, the failed to recognize that the opposition is vengeful and corrupt and would create its own bloodbath against the government's supporters. Shamosh, who was born in Aleppo, Syria, goes after Israeli Defense Minister Barak, who claimed last year that the Syrian regime would fall, and showed that this assessment was not only wrong, but demonstrated Barak's reckless and dangerous arrogance.


This stance bodes ill for the future when it comes to Iran, says Shamosh: "Hence, our defense minister's arrogance, rashness and contempt for the enemy concern me, especially as a testament to inaccurate intelligence and puzzling judgment, combined with exaggerated confidence in the face of things to come.


"An Iran strike is not just another strike in Gaza or in Syria. We should call this monster by name. This would not be a strike, but rather, the initiation of war against a well-armed, dangerous regional power, even without nuclear weapons.


"The world and history will not forgive us should we embark on war that could turn into a regional war and possibly a third world war. The unstable economic and political situation will mobilize all 200 states, including leading states, against those who initiated the war." Shamosh said that social protesters, who demonstrate for social justice, should also add that "the people say no to war."


He warned Israeli's intelligence establishment, who got it wrong on Syria, that there was no guarantee that "its assessments regarding a war [strike] in the distant Iran and its outcome aren't even more flawed and much more dangerous."