Umbrellas Fold

Ha’aretz reports from Israel that the Obama administration is willing to offer Israel a nuclear umbrella in case of a nuclear attack on the part of Iran. This would mean that the United States would retaliate with a devastating nuclear attack if Israel were ever attacked by Iran with nuclear weapons. Analysts view this as acceptance on the part of the United States that Iran will become a nuclear power.

Israel should just say NO! Retaliation would come too late.

A nuclear attack would mean the annihilation of Israel. The retaliation, if it took place, would do nothing to save Israel. As long as religious fundamentalists, who expect the return of the Mahdi, continue to rule Iran, the retaliation by the United States might be actually viewed as a positive incentive, since they also believe that the Mahdi's return would be preceeded by a catastrophic event. The concept of nuclear deterrence can work only when you have two rational opponents who understand the cost of using these weapons. The Soviet Union, at the height of the Cold War, understood this, and acted accordingly. Furthermore, I don’t believe that Barack Obama would ever order a nuclear strike. He will be saddened and disappointed, but ultimately he would not have the fortitude to order an attack that would result in the death of hundreds of thousands of Iranians.

Wouldn’t it make sense and save countless lives to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities before the atomic weapons are ready? All the United States has to do is give Israel the green light and the right to land on American carriers in the Persian Gulf.

Israelis have plenty of practice. Remember Osiraq?