Targeted strike on Iran nuclear sites again under discussion

[Newsjock]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

JERUSALEM — Six months ago, after American intelligence agencies declared that Iran had shelved its nuclear-weapons program, the chances of a U.S. or Israeli military strike on Iran before President Bush left office seemed remote.

Now, thanks to persistent pressure from Israeli hawks and newly stated concerns by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the idea of a targeted strike meant to cripple Iran's nuclear program is getting a new hearing.

... Some analysts view the latest Israeli threats as an attempt to put pressure on Iran to capitulate to Western demands. Other analysts see the Israeli campaign as intended to press the Bush administration to take the lead if the two nations decide to launch a military strike on Iran.

"The most likely scenario is that the Israelis will train and prepare as if they are very serious — and that's part of the bluff to get the U.S. engaged," said John McCreary, a retired intelligence analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/40764.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. There is no way in hell that Iran is going to EVER defer to Israel,

let alone this country.

This is a nuclear game of chicken.

[Hydra]

2. What part of this is chicken?

Bush doesn't care if Iran flinches- he's dead set on ramming them into the ground.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. The whole charade of giving Iran "one last chance" and a variety of

demands that the WH and * are certain it will refuse. And I agree with you: conquering Iran has always been in the cards since the "student uprising" in 1979 wherein the Shah was "deposed". This has been 28+ years in the making.

And it's come down to a duel of "I dare you." "I double dare you." Iran will be attacked rather than stand down and the WH will gladly attack or else face that it has used empty rhetoric.

[Hydra]

5. That's my POV

All of the demands are ludicrous. Deliberately so.

Chicken it's not- more like, "Move and I blow your head off- and if you don't, I'll do it anyway!"

[darue]

12. it IS empty rhetoric and their bluff has already been called many times

they have no idea of or stomach for realistic policy so all they have left is bluster.

[Muttocracy]

4. kick :(

[kestrel91316]

6. Bush is gonna "poison the well" by provoking WW III and

nuclear war before he leaves office.

[Trillo]

7. Didn't Conyers say if Iran was attacked by Bush,

then impeachment would move forward rather quickly.

Not quite synchronicity, but synchronous nonetheless.

[scarface2004]

8. why not nuke detroit while you re at it!!!

republicans are a bunch of frickin assholes i tell ya!!!!!!

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

9. and then the Iranians will launch "targeted strikes" against gulf oil ports

$300 oil anybody?

[ladjf]

10. The has got to be some way to stop Bush. He should be under

house arrest immediately.

[darue]

13. house arrest or better... keep him on air force one from now to Jan 21st

just keep him flying around the globe for the next 7 months on an endless shuttle diplomacy mission in the sky

[darue]

11. what insanity. since when has shit like this ever been "discused" like this openly before hand?

it's amateur hour at the least and lunatic hour more likely.

[Imagevision]

14. Bush & Cheney are hell-bent in making a mess in Iran before they leave DC.

as Bush says, it'll be up to the new president to take care of it. How the fu*k does this guy get away with this sh*t. The man I believe can kill someone on live video and they would just ignore it.