U.S. Says Exercise by Israel Seemed Directed at Iran

U.S. Says Exercise by Israel Seemed Directed at Iran
By MICHAEL R. GORDON and ERIC SCHMITT

20/06/08 "New York Times" -- WASHINGTON — Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Several American officials said the Israeli exercise appeared to be an effort to develop the military’s capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran’s nuclear program.

More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters participated in the maneuvers, which were carried out over the eastern Mediterranean and over Greece during the first week of June, American officials said.

The exercise also included Israeli helicopters that could be used to rescue downed pilots. The helicopters and refueling tankers flew more than 900 miles, which is about the same distance between Israel and Iran’s uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, American officials said.

Israeli officials declined to discuss the details of the exercise.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20143.htm

visits to AIPAC. Especially the presumptive nominee. All systems go. Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.

It was OBVIOUSLY aimed at Iran.

And some "government official" is saying "Hmm, that's what it LOOKS like"

As if they DIDN'T have several hundred "advisors" in Israel directing the the whole thing.

Bomb Iran? What's to Stop Us?

It’s crazy, but it’s coming soon – from the same folks who brought us Iraq.
By Ray McGovern

20/06/08 "ICH" -- Unlike the attack on Iraq five years ago, to deal with Iran there need be no massing of troops. And, with the propaganda buildup already well under way, there need be little, if any, forewarning before shock and awe and pox – in the form of air and missile attacks – begin.

This time it will be largely the Air Force’s show, punctuated by missile and air strikes by the Navy. Israeli-American agreement has now been reached at the highest level; the armed forces planners, plotters and pilots are working out the details.

Emerging from a 90-minute White House meeting with President George W. Bush on June 4, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the two leaders were of one mind:

“We reached agreement on the need to take care of the Iranian threat. I left with a lot less question marks I had entered with regarding the means, the timetable restrictions, and American resoluteness to deal with the problem. George Bush understands the severity of the Iranian threat and the need to vanquish it, and intends to act on that matter before the end of his term in the White House.”

Does that sound like a man concerned that Bush is just bluff and bluster?

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article20140.htm

they've been exposed as lying us into Iraq and they can't get away with it again on Iran. I believe that they will use Israel to hit Iran and any retaliation will draw us into the conflict that they wanted in the first place. This will happen before the November GE. It will put Obama in a hard position - because he said he would support our ally Israel and he will have to support any action that Bush takes. If he so much hiccups on this - McCain and the Repugs will take advantage and say he is weak on protecting the U.S.

That's how I believe this will play out.

The occasional bomb drop on 'terrorist' encampments notwithstanding, the US has not attacked Pakistan for joining the nuclear club.

Iraq was to have been the first domino in BushCheney's plan to lock up Mideast oil, but the domino pushed back. No matter; only a few thousand bodies and a few years more and we've got http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/middleeast/080620-oil-iraq">Mission Accomplished, with US oil majors returning to claim their 'rightful' property.

At the end of 2000, Iran had the second largest natural gas reserves (23 trillion cubic meters) and the fifth largest crude oil reserves >89.7 billion barrels (Gbbl) in the world according to the Oil & Gas Journal.

This attack is not (primarily) about the threat of Iranian nukes. It is ultimately all about gaining control of the nation's energy; and for that reason, aerial bombing will not be enough. Only with an invasion can that happen.

The Khuzestan Province .... which just happens to be the same place the Bush administration is claiming the Iranians have been training militants to come into Iraq and fight our Soldiers (and whatever other propaganda this administration can cook up, it will be targeted at this area). Again relatively speaking not a very large part of Iran across the border from Iraq for forces to occupy ...... and therefore quench the wests thirst for oil. Just something else to keep in mind the next 6 months. Peace.

:kick:

plenty of time after our elections, but to guarantee the help of their partners - Cheney and the Pentagon and Condi and her Blackwater, and their barons and stockholders - they have to do it now.

Obama plus Clinton and Pelosi plus Read and all the war partisan leaders are going to give Cheney and the barons another gift by scrambling in with an attack and invasions that won't be just Natanz.

Then, Israel will sit back and watch and place everyone on alert.

Yes, I'm bitter. Everyone has lost their voice or have been bought out.

WW III is about to start and everyone is watching some car race, golf tournament, or an audio at the mall about some new product. Or perhaps, they are buying another new purse or cooking pan on that flashy new site on the net. While some are just sitting down on the couch with their latest delivery from NetFlix or lighting up the grill. A JUNE summer day.

And the parallel in this country is worldwide - no one cares or they don't believe it can happen, except the Iranians. And/or the Russians. And/or the Chinese.

Come on money train!

paragraph -

"Any Israeli attack against Iran's nuclear facilities would confront a number of challenges. Many American experts say they believe that such an attack could delay but not eliminate Iran's nuclear program. Much of the program's infrastructure is buried under earth and concrete and installed in long tunnels or hallways, making precise targeting difficult. There is also concern that not all of the facilities have been detected. To inflict maximum damage, multiple attacks might be necessary, which many analysts say is beyond Israel's ability at this time."