Bush Gives Israel Go-Ahead to Attack Iran if Sanctions Fail

[Romano-Dacis]

US President George W. Bush has given Israel the "amber light" to carry out an attack on Iran if diplomatic efforts are unsuccessful in causing the Islamic Republic to back down and relinquish its nuclear program, according to a senior Pentagon official quoted by the British Sunday Times on Sunday morning.

According to the official, Bush has given Israel free rein to attack Iran's nuclear sites if sanctions fail in spite of opposition from US generals and regardless of the possible economic and political repercussions of such a strike...

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...cle%2FShowFull

Well this is hardly surprising. Let's not kid ourselves; we all know AIPAC is the most powerful lobby in America, and this is just another piece of evidence to prove America is not an "objective arbiter" of the Middle East. At least the US has said that they can't count on American troops to go in with them, and that the IAF cannot use the US military bases in Iraq.

Iranian officials mentioned that their retaliation would also go against American military bases in the region. It is likely the US will be dragged into the war if such a retaliation happens.

[removeduser_487563287433]

"Amber light" is severely different wording to "go-ahead".

[Romano-Dacis]

"Amber light" is severely different wording to "go-ahead".

Yes, like "mobilization" is different from "invasion" but one does have a tendency to lead to the other.

I can think of very few scenarios where mobilization has not gone on to the next phase.

[GeneralLee]

Yes, like "mobilization" is different from "invasion" but one does have a tendency to lead to the other.

I can think of very few scenarios where mobilization has not gone on to the next phase.

A yellow light is a caution light, do it if you have to but we'd prefer if you'd stop.

[Joker85]

Yes, it's all about AIPAC. The Jewish lobby is forcing another American President to do their evil bidding. Who cares that they are 2% of the population, their strangle hold on the halls of power has turned the US into nothing but a puppet of the zionists.

...Or Bush believes that Iran can not be allowed to aquire nuclear weapons, and has told the Israelis he will not stand in their way if they choose to defend themselves by taking out the Iranian weapons program should diplomacy fail.

Nothing is going to happen before the elections that's for sure. I think Bush is playing this correct at the moment. The US can not directly attack Iran first due to internal public opinion. So he will sit back and let Israel do their thing, if Iran strikes back at the US, a nation that did not attack them, then Bush can rightfully launch a defensive war against the Iranian regime. If Iran does nothing, they appear weak and impotent to their own people and the world at large. After all they have they have spent how many years threatening to wreck havoc on US forces in the region if Israel attacks them?

Of course none of that would be needed of Iran would begin acting responsibly and accept the incentives that have been offered by the west. If they really want peace, if they really fear an American attack/invasion, then they would give up their nuclear weapons ambitions. Look no further than Libya to see what happens when you start playing by the rules. They gave up their WMDs, stopped supporting terrorism and we have left them alone ever since. We don't bother them, they don't bother us. But that's not good enough for Iran, they have much larger ambitions.

[Last Roman]

Yes, it's all about AIPAC. The Jewish lobby is forcing another American President to do their evil bidding. Who cares that they are 2% of the population, their strangle hold on the halls of power has turned the US into nothing but a puppet of the zionists.

its pretty undeniable that the Israeli lobby holds considerable influence within the US government.

That said, Bush and Co have had an eye out for Iran for a while, so how much of that pro-Israeli influence was actually needed is up for debate.

[Joker85]

its pretty undeniable that the Israeli lobby holds considerable influence within the US government.

As does the Islam CAIR lobby, the gay lobby, the pro life lobby, the pro choice lobby, the pro war lobby, the anti war lobby, environmental lobby, etc

Israel does not have the ability to force, coerce, or even influence the US to against the interests of America. There are interest groups that lobby both parties. But none of them, as far as I can tell, are capable of forcing the US into war, which is what the "OMG AIPAC JEWS" crowd constantly imply. As if there was no AIPAC the US wouldn't care about Iranian nukes, be supporting Israeli strikes against said nukes, or planning strikes of their own.

That's nonsense. Because it is nonsense, and has absolutely nothing to do with the Bush Administration's policy in regards to an Israeli strike against Iran (what this thread is about), it's pointless to bring it up. Except for the obvious "Jews control the US" conspiracies.

[Lonck]

As does the Islam CAIR lobby, the gay lobby, the pro life lobby, the pro choice lobby, the pro war lobby, the anti war lobby, environmental lobby, etc

Well CAIR has obiously failed, gay marriage is not legal in all states (correct me if I'm wrong), abortions are legal, and where was the anti-war lobby when the war in afghanistan started and the war in iraq started.

[Joker85]

Well CAIR has obiously failed, gay marriage is not legal in all states (correct me if I'm wrong), abortions are legal, and where was the anti-war lobby when the war in afghanistan started and the war in iraq started.

That's the point. Various interest groups are only effective up to a point. They don't dictate policy, and certainly not matters of war and peace.

Again, only a fool would contend that, absent AIPAC, the US would have no problems with Iranian nuclear weapons ambitions and murder of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Panzerbear]

Yes, it's all about AIPAC. The Jewish lobby is forcing another American President to do their evil bidding. Who cares that they are 2% of the population, their strangle hold on the halls of power has turned the US into nothing but a puppet of the zionists.

Jews might very vell be only 2% of the population, but the type of top postions they hold surely makes you wonder . Jews are dominating finance/banking, mass media, and other significant industries. not because there is some kind of crazy conspiracy, but because the vast majority of Jews are a) extremely well educated and b) help each other out and stick together like there is no tomorrow.

[RZZZA]

Jews might very vell be only 2% of the population, but the type of top postions they hold surely makes you wonder . Jews are dominating finance/banking, mass media, and other significant industries. not because there is some kind of crazy conspiracy, but because the vast majority of Jews are a) extremely well educated and b) help each other out and stick together like there is no tomorrow.

we also dominate comedy and law.

[John I Tzimisces]

Jews might very vell be only 2% of the population, but the type of top postions they hold surely makes you wonder . Jews are dominating finance/banking, mass media, and other significant industries. not because there is some kind of crazy conspiracy, but because the vast majority of Jews are a) extremely well educated and b) help each other out and stick together like there is no tomorrow.

The issue is more the power of their lobby.

No one should underestimate the power of lobbies in the US government.

Although, yeah, that the Jews have the impressive tenacity to stick by each other is also why Jews have a reputation as jewelers here when there really are better ones in NYC (cough armos cough )

[Astaroth]

Yes, it's all about AIPAC. The Jewish lobby is forcing another American President to do their evil bidding. Who cares that they are 2% of the population, their strangle hold on the halls of power has turned the US into nothing but a puppet of the zionists.

...Or Bush believes that Iran can not be allowed to aquire nuclear weapons, and has told the Israelis he will not stand in their way if they choose to defend themselves by taking out the Iranian weapons program should diplomacy fail.

Nothing is going to happen before the elections that's for sure. I think Bush is playing this correct at the moment. The US can not directly attack Iran first due to internal public opinion. So he will sit back and let Israel do their thing, if Iran strikes back at the US, a nation that did not attack them, then Bush can rightfully launch a defensive war against the Iranian regime. If Iran does nothing, they appear weak and impotent to their own people and the world at large. After all they have they have spent how many years threatening to wreck havoc on US forces in the region if Israel attacks them?

Of course none of that would be needed of Iran would begin acting responsibly and accept the incentives that have been offered by the west. If they really want peace, if they really fear an American attack/invasion, then they would give up their nuclear weapons ambitions. Look no further than Libya to see what happens when you start playing by the rules. They gave up their WMDs, stopped supporting terrorism and we have left them alone ever since. We don't bother them, they don't bother us. But that's not good enough for Iran, they have much larger ambitions.

Good post, I agree

[Last Roman]

Good post, I agree

agree all you want, you'd be wrong.

[Serious J]

Sigh... I'm really tempted to go off on the US for yet another overly aggressive stance, but really the only thing that I feel right now is disgusted that yet another war will likely happen over a few individuals (on both sides) strutting around and posturing like the big cock of the yard. (The animal ya perv)

Race, resources and politics are the new religion when it comes to stupid reasons to wage war.

[Gelgoog]

Race, resources and politics are the new religion when it comes to stupid reasons to wage war.

new religion? those reasons have been at the heart of every single war in history.

[Winter]

Well this is hardly surprising. Let's not kid ourselves; we all know AIPAC is the most powerful lobby in America, and this is just another piece of evidence to prove America is not an "objective arbiter" of the Middle East. At least the US has said that they can't count on American troops to go in with them, and that the IAF cannot use the US military bases in Iraq.

It is hardly fair to blame this on the United States as a whole; This is yet another idiotic moment in the history of this president that will likely have disastrous consequences for his country.

[removeduser_487563287433]

It's certainly concerning to yet again have to read something along the lines of Bush does x despite generals saying y.

[Winter]

It's certainly concerning to yet again have to read something along the lines of Bush does x despite generals saying y.

Did you really expect anything different? I think he could care less, and now that he knows everyone hates him he's free to do whatever the hell he wants.

[MyNameIsGreat]

This worked against Saddam's nuclear facilities, didn't it?