Rice: Israel can decide for itself on Iran

[Sarge]

Been nice knowing you , Imanutajob

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218104249803&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull


US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended Israel's right to make its own decision about whether it takes military action against Iran, in an interview released over the weekend.



Israel is a sovereign country," she said in response to a question from The Politico Web site as to whether she was concerned that America would be blamed in the case of an IDF attack on the Islamic Republic.

Her statements come amid speculation that Washington has warned Jerusalem not to attack Iran and media reports that the US told Israel it doesn't have the green light to use Iraqi airspace for any such attack.

At the same time, Rice emphasized diplomacy.

"We are in very close contact with the Israelis and we talk about the diplomatic track that we're on," she said. "They've said that diplomacy can work here. And I know they're doing their part to talk to all of the countries with which they have good relations to explain why it's important to have a tough edge to our diplomacy."

Asked if she would use the opportunity to tell Israel it shouldn't strike Iran, Rice replied that the US and its international partners announced this week that they would be looking at further sanctions against Iran after it failed to meet another deadline to begin negotiations over its nuclear program, as it continued enriching uranium in defiance of the international community.

The US has been holding consultations with the other permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China - about beginning work on a fourth sanctions resolution.

At the same time, amid indications that will be a slow process, particularly with signs the Russians are hesitant about ratcheting up the sanctions language, the US and EU are taking their own additional measures outside the UN framework.

"We're on a diplomatic course and that's the important thing," Rice said.

In the interview, she also dismissed the concern that Teheran could hold the world's energy markets hostage because of its large role in the international oil market and its control over a key shipping route.

"I don't know what the Iranians would do without the revenue that they receive from selling oil. And so the idea that they would somehow deprive the world of Iranian oil exports would have to have a pretty devastating effect on Iran itself," she said.

The interview was released the day before the Institute for Science and International Security published a report arguing that force wouldn't be particularly effective in ending Iran's nuclear threat.

In the report, titled "Can military strikes destroy Iran's gas centrifuge program? Probably not," David Albright, ISIS president and a former UN weapons inspector, lays out short-comings including a lack of sufficient intelligence to be able to destroy all of the nuclear production sites, Iran's ability to quickly replicate whatever centrifuges are destroyed, and the likely strengthening of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's domestic standing in the wake of such an attack.

Albright and co-authors Paul Brannan and Jacqueline Shire also reject any equivalence between a strike on Iran and that carried out by Israel in Iraq in 1981 to take out the Osirak reactor, or its attack on an alleged incipient reactor in Syria last September.

"This analogy is grossly misleading. It neglects the important differences between a gas centrifuge uranium enrichment program and a reactor-based program, and fails to account for the dispersed, relatively advanced, and hardened nature of Iran's gas centrifuge facilities," they write. "It also ignores the years Iran has had to acquire centrifuge items abroad, often illicitly, allowing it to create reserve stocks of critical equipment and raw materials."

[Oldskool]

I still don't trust Rice when she speaks about Israel. She too many times as let her replacement theology rear it's heretical head.

Saying that, I'm all for letting go of the leash here..

[Toe Jam]

I still don't trust Rice when she speaks about Israel. She too many times as let her replacement theology rear it's heretical head.

Saying that, I'm all for letting go of the leash here..

Hell, I don't trust Rice when she speaks PERIOD.

I don't think she's all there upstairs..

[Oldskool]

Hell, I don't trust Rice when she speaks PERIOD.

I don't think she's all there upstairs..

I think you've missed the point, my young Padawan. But that's ok, not many people understand. ;)

[Toe Jam]

I think you've missed the point, my young Padawan. But that's ok, not many people understand. ;)

...a disturbance in the political force, I sense.

[TrumanB]

Let the bombing commence.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

I think you've missed the point, my young Padawan. But that's ok, not many people understand. ;)
Well, I missed your point as well. :)

[Oldskool]

Well, I missed your point as well. :)

It has to do with the two state "solution". Don't want to hijack this thread any further. ;)

[Chief skin]

Everyone in the Bush administration has lost credibility. The Israelis will do whats best for Israel, our joke of a government could learn something from the Israelis.

[Thiebear]

Israel would want to hit while Russia is busy with Georgia.
UGH!!

[19Skins72]

Israel would want to hit while Russia is busy with Georgia.
UGH!!

Israel vs. Iran., Russia vs. Georgia., the U.S. with most of our combat ready forces split between Iraq and Afghanistan...I'm tempted to ask what else could go wrong, but I think I'll pass on tempting fate. :D

[GibbsFactor]

Wow, you mean we are actually acting like a country of the world and not the controlling factor? I'm shocked.

Anyways, so much for Imanutjob.

[Sarge]

Gee, we let go of the leash, and looky what happens:rolleyes:

I wonder if he sits up and begs too?

http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=16873

Iran insists it really loves Israel

Iranian Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashal on Monday repeated his assertion that Iran is a friend of Israel, according to Iranian state-controlled media.

"We are friends of all of humanity. There is no difference at all between the Iranians and Americans, and the Israelis are also our friends," said the Iranian vice president. "The Iranians believe in peace and love between people."

Mashal made similar remarks last month, and added that Iran's nuclear program "should be used for expanding love and peace."

Israelis rejected both of Mashal's declarations, recalling that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has an numerous occasions publicly advocated the destruction of the Jewish state to thunderous applause from the more religiously-motivated of his fellow Iranians.

[BigMike619]

Gee, we let go of the leash, and looky what happens:rolleyes:

I wonder if he sits up and begs too?

http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=16873

Iran insists it really loves Israel

Iranian Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashal on Monday repeated his assertion that Iran is a friend of Israel, according to Iranian state-controlled media.

"We are friends of all of humanity. There is no difference at all between the Iranians and Americans, and the Israelis are also our friends," said the Iranian vice president. "The Iranians believe in peace and love between people."

Mashal made similar remarks last month, and added that Iran's nuclear program "should be used for expanding love and peace."

Israelis rejected both of Mashal's declarations, recalling that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has an numerous occasions publicly advocated the destruction of the Jewish state to thunderous applause from the more religiously-motivated of his fellow Iranians.

one hand out to shake your hand
the other hand behind your back with a gun in it

sounds like they are setting Israel up to lower their guard so they can pop them one.

Doubt that Israel is that dumb tho..

[Prosperity]

what bet you want to make, Sarge. If within 6 months (or whatever time frame you want) Israel has not attacked Iran, you get off this board for good. If Israel attacks Iran, I'll go for good.

[Thiebear]

what bet you want to make, Sarge. If within 6 months (or whatever time frame you want) Israel has not attacked Iran, you get off this board for good. If Israel attacks Iran, I'll go for good.


Wait, so if Israel attacks Iran its a win/win...

[TrumanB]

Wait, so if Israel attacks Iran its a win/win...
:laugh: I was thinking the same thing.

[Prosperity]

Wait, so if Israel attacks Iran its a win/win...
sure, you should take the bet as well


:laugh: I was thinking the same thing.
you don't even know what win/win means

[TrumanB]

you don't even know what win/win means
Yes I do. It means one less annoying, arrogant, know-it-all liberal on this board. :laugh: (Oh, and hopefully, one less threat to the U.S. and Israel too).

[Prosperity]

Yes I do. It means one less annoying, arrogant, know-it-all liberal on this board. :laugh: (Oh, and hopefully, one less threat to the U.S. and Israel too).

glad you could once again prove yourself ignorant

[Sarge]

what bet you want to make, Sarge. If within 6 months (or whatever time frame you want) Israel has not attacked Iran, you get off this board for good. If Israel attacks Iran, I'll go for good.

Now where would the fun in that be? I wouldn't be able to gloat and serve up a big ol' plate of crow after the smoke clears.

It's going to happen. Even the Iranians know it, hence their little "nice, nice" statement.

It'll either happen with our help, or the Israelis will do it all by themselves.

And you know what? Iran will have only Imanutajob to blame. One too many "I'm going to wipe Israel out" statements.

Personally, I'm looking for anytime after around the end of Sept.

It'll be cooling off by then, which will give the fully loaded F-15's and F-16's added lift on takeoff. Be able to carry more fuel and bunker busters that way

If I were the Iranians, I'd be looking to take out Imanutajob. Maybe they can vote him out.

Oh wait. They don't have real elections there, do they?

Overthrow him? Naw, people end up getting their necks stretched

Man, kind of a sucky situation for having a ****ty leader

Oh well. I hear the "24' clock ticking

Sucks to be you all. The only consolation is that Israel won't waste bombs on civilian targets. Like they would even if they had the capablilty. That's more the palestinians style

[TrumanB]

glad you could once again prove yourself ignorant
So, let me guess, let me guess ...... you're an "enlightened" libertarian (with a small 'l'). You've probably read some of the writings of Ayn Rand and others like her and can one-up an old fuddy-duddy like myself, who tows the party line (Republican). The ironic thing is that you'll be voting for Obama, who will be obviously growing the state beyond what we've ever seen before. Pretty damn close, right?

[Prosperity]

thought you wouldn't man up to the bet, because you know that you are hot air with no logic nor reason

how about a year break, that will be plenty of time for the smoke to clear

[Prosperity]

So, let me guess, let me guess ...... you're an "enlightened" libertarian (with a small 'l'). You've probably read some of the writings of Ayn Rand and others like her and can one-up an old fuddy-duddy like myself, who tows the party line (Republican). The ironic thing is that you'll be voting for Obama, who will be obviously growing the state beyond what we've ever seen before. Pretty damn close, right?
just an enlightened liberal here sorry to disappoint

second, get off my nuts

[TrumanB]

just an enlightened liberal here sorry to disappoint

second, get off my nuts
Oh, I see. Can dish it out, but can't take it. Take care of that anger, young man.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Oh, I see. Can dish it out, but can't take it. Take care of that anger, young man.
He's not angry...he probably feels its pointless for the two of you to engage in a discussion. :)

[TrumanB]

He's not angry...he probably feels its pointless for the two of you to engage in a discussion. :)
Well, truth be told, I'm actually referring to other discussions he's had with other folks. And not just in this thread with Sarge, but a few other threads I've been reading recently. Maybe it's just my perception, but I see a lot of anger in his posts and a whole lot of lashing out at other posters.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Well, truth be told, I'm actually referring to other discussions he's had with other folks. And not just in this thread with Sarge, but a few other threads I've been reading recently. Maybe it's just my perception, but I see a lot of anger in his posts and a whole lot of lashing out at other posters.
You could be right. I haven't really paid to much attention to his other posts.

But to be fair, we all get kinda riled up talking politics from time to time. ;)

[Sarge]

thought you wouldn't man up to the bet, because you know that you are hot air with no logic nor reason

how about a year break, that will be plenty of time for the smoke to clear

Looks like the Israelis have some back up


http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5499


DEBKAfile’s military sources note that the arrival of the three new American flotillas will raise to five the number of US strike forces in Middle East waters – an unprecedented build-up since the crisis erupted over Iran’s nuclear program.

This vast naval and air strength consists of more than 40 carriers, warships and submarines, some of the last nuclear-armed, opposite the Islamic Republic, a concentration last seen just before the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Our military sources postulate five objects of this show of American muscle:

1. The US, aided also by France, Britain and Canada, is finalizing preparations for a partial naval blockade to deny Iran imports of benzene and other refined oil products. This action would indicate that the Bush administration had thrown in the towel on stiff United Nations sanctions and decided to take matters in its own hands.

2. Iran, which imports 40 percent of its refined fuel products from Gulf neighbors, will retaliate for the embargo by shutting the Strait of Hormuz oil route chokepoint, in which case the US naval and air force stand ready to reopen the Strait and fight back any Iranian attempt to break through the blockade.

3. Washington is deploying forces as back-up for a possible Israeli military attack on Iran’s nuclear installations.

4. A potential rush of events in which a US-led blockade, Israeli attack and Iranian reprisals pile up in a very short time and precipitate a major military crisis.

5. While a massive deployment of this nature calls for long planning, its occurrence at this time cannot be divorced from the flare-up of the Caucasian war between Russia and Georgia. While Russia has strengthened its stake in Caspian oil resources by its overwhelming military intervention against Georgia, the Americans are investing might in defending the primary Persian Gulf oil sources of the West and the Far East.

DEBKAfile’s military sources name the three US strike forces en route to the Gulf as the USS Theodore Roosevelt , the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Iwo Jima . Already in place are the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea opposite Iranian shores and the USS Peleliu which is cruising in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

[SkinsHokieFan]

:doh:

One of the biggest overblown threats ever; 2008 Iran

Ahmanjedah is an utter boob trying to rally some sort of base in his country with his economy performing poorly despite the high oil income

Easiest way to do it? Bait Israel and the US into battle.

Then watch the Shia's bust loose in Iraq, and we are back to pre-surge levels of violence, just when we have finally gotten that situation under control

Our friends, the Israeli's

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

:doh:

One of the biggest overblown threats ever; 2008 Iran

Ahmanjedah is an utter boob trying to rally some sort of base in his country with his economy performing poorly despite the high oil income

Easiest way to do it? Bait Israel and the US into battle.

Then watch the Shia's bust loose in Iraq, and we are back to pre-surge levels of violence, just when we have finally gotten that situation under control

Our friends, the Israeli's

:applause:

[Prosperity]

Oh, I see. Can dish it out, but can't take it. Take care of that anger, young man.
I'm not trying to change your mind or "dish it out" just want you to get off my nuts. Your posts in response to mine are always angry, usually only tangentially related to anything that's going on.

But please think of me a libertarian or a communist or republican or a fascist... it doesn't mean much in the end because I always let my views be known

[Prosperity]

Looks like the Israelis have some back up




take the bet then, you can talk all the **** you want, and I won't even be around to say otherwise

[Sarge]

take the bet then, you can talk all the **** you want, and I won't even be around to say otherwise

You won't be around anyway. Your views on the situation are well known. They'll get proven wrong in the next few months

[Prosperity]

:laugh: lame

[Sarge]

:doh:

One of the biggest overblown threats ever; 2008 Iran

Ahmanjedah is an utter boob trying to rally some sort of base in his country with his economy performing poorly despite the high oil income

Easiest way to do it? Bait Israel and the US into battle.

Then watch the Shia's bust loose in Iraq, and we are back to pre-surge levels of violence, just when we have finally gotten that situation under control

Our friends, the Israeli's

Well ,since Mookie has gone all Jesse Jackson and started to get rid of their arms, who's to say?

You can only poke a bear in the eye for so long until you piss it off. If Bibi gets re-elected, it'll be game over for Iran the next day

[SkinsHokieFan]

Well ,since Mookie has gone all Jesse Jackson and started to get rid of their arms, who's to say?

You can only poke a bear in the eye for so long until you piss it off. If Bibi gets re-elected, it'll be game over for Iran the next day

At some point, we need our leadership to re-examine the nature of our relationship with Israel.

There is no reason for us to be dragged into a conflict with Iran at all, not at this time. We have it surrounded on both sides and can keep an eye on them if they try and pull something stupid, and if they do could anhilate them, but to tacitly approve of letting Israel do anything harms our own interests in the ME, more so then helps out Israel.

[Redskins Diehard]

At some point, we need our leadership to re-examine the nature of our relationship with Israel.

There is no reason for us to be dragged into a conflict with Iran at all, not at this time. We have it surrounded on both sides and can keep an eye on them if they try and pull something stupid, and if they do could anhilate them, but to tacitly approve of letting Israel do anything harms our own interests in the ME, more so then helps out Israel.

I think that point is sooner rather than later. We should be acting in OUR interests...not THEIRS.

Israeli Lobby and US Foreign Policy. Interesting book. Suggest it to all those ready to throw American support behind anything the Israeli's do. Sometimes not even is it against our interests...it is against their own as well

[Thiebear]

just an enlightened liberal here sorry to disappoint
second, get off my nuts

I wouldnt take the bet because a year off the site is way more important than proving you wrong: Again.

Am i positive the wouldn't:NO
Was i positive NK would blow up a Nuke reactor? No
Was i positive Russia would take over Georgia 2 weeks ago: No
Was i positive Obama is going to get blown away: Yes.

I'm glad you gave up the drugs and stated you were wrong on that. Now stop being so ****ing condescending all the time. Funny can be funny without constant talking down to the peasants.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

I Now stop being so ****ing condescending all the time. Funny can be funny without constant talking down to the peasants.
Doesn't that apply to all of us..you included? :)

[Sarge]

At some point, we need our leadership to re-examine the nature of our relationship with Israel.

There is no reason for us to be dragged into a conflict with Iran at all, not at this time. We have it surrounded on both sides and can keep an eye on them if they try and pull something stupid, and if they do could anhilate them, but to tacitly approve of letting Israel do anything harms our own interests in the ME, more so then helps out Israel.


It is not in our interest to allow Iran nuclear weapons or any kind of enriched nuclear material. Even if they can enrich a small amount of uranium and crudely put it atop a Shahab rocket and launch in the general direction of Israel, that's a bad thing. Not to mention putting it on a short range rocket to shoot at our carriers in the Straits.

No, best bet for them is just to come clean and let the UN go in a check things out.

But Imanutajob won't go for that so ...............................

[SkinsHokieFan]

I think that point is sooner rather than later. We should be acting in OUR interests...not THEIRS.

Israeli Lobby and US Foreign Policy. Interesting book. Suggest it to all those ready to throw American support behind anything the Israeli's do. Sometimes not even is it against our interests...it is against their own as well

That sounds quite interesting. I am going to have to pick it up soon. Thanks for the suggestion

And indeed, if you step back and take the religion out of everything and re-name the countries and analyze the moves that Israel has made over the years, it has not only not served our interests but certainly at times not its own (the Lebanon War for example)

[twa]

If you could take religion out of the equation?

Good luck

[SkinsHokieFan]

If you could take religion out of the equation?

Good luck

When objectively looking at the situation that Israel puts herself, and us in.

Pretend Israel is country I, the Palestinanans are the P's, and the Lebaneese the L's, and America the A's, etc etc

And then look at the moves country I has made vis a vis all these other countries and realize how its boxed itself in, and how its boxed in country A in.