Israel CAN take out Iran's nuclear sites ... (updated)

Woooooo Hooooo !

There doesn't seem to be much excitement in the media about a possible dry-run by Israel in preparation for taking out Iran's nuclear facilities.  Actually there were two military exercises carried out by Israel that could be dry-runs for an attack on Iran, the latest in May 2008.  This does not include the 'Operation Orchard' attack, the target of the raid a nuclear site in Syria being run in collaboration with North Korean technicians.

If this is true, why would the United States be leaking the information?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials say Israel carried out a large military exercise this month that appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, The New York Times reported on Friday.

[snip]

A Pentagon official who the Times said was briefed on the exercise, said one goal was to practice flight tactics, aerial refueling and other details of a possible strike against Iran's nuclear installations and long-range conventional missiles.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a second goal was to send a clear message that Israel was prepared to act militarily if other efforts to stop Iran from producing bomb-grade uranium fail.

Pat Dollard reports:  "Russia seems worried about the Israeli Air Force activity. 100 F-15s & F-16s doing a 900 mile dry run?"

Dude…muuwahahaaaaa…..I’ve been saying all along that all this bravado and spewing of hateful rhetoric coming from Tehran, and all of this U.N. hand wringing and attempted appeasement will be shattered in a day when Israel decides to just strike out on their own.

Pat Dollard also has videos of Middle east expert Ambassador Dennis Ross, and Jennifer Griffin brings Pentagon reaction, and talks a bit about the GBU-28 bunker busters we sold Israel

Steve Emerson on Fox News TV discussed the options America has.  The U.S. can either keep their trap shut and let Israel do what she needs to do.  Israel can ask for help, or ask for permission, ... but both of these choices leave the U.S. and other Western Nations open to saying no, and discouraging Israel from taking action.  Also asking for permission or notifying the U.S. ahead of time is simply alerting the world to what Israel has planned.

My advice to Israel:  DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO ---  DON'T ASK PERMISSION  ---  UNLESS YOU NEED ASSISTANCE AND BELIEVE YOU WILL GET IT.

How Would Iran Retaliate if it Comes to War ?, asks John E. Carey

Iran has many options to retaliate against any attack by Israel and/or the United States.

Most terrorism experts say a direct face-to-face confrontation between Iran and the United states is not in the best interests of Iran.  They say what is most likely is a mixture of global, terrorist inspired attacks. [snip]

Tehran has warned its arch-enemy Israel of a “strong blow” if it takes forceful measures, after the US media reported military exercises by the Jewish state were a possible practice for a strike against Iran.  [snip]

 ...   Russia might beef up support to Iran in a number of sectors. [snip]

Christian Science Monitor reporter Scott Peterson discussed this issue of a possible Iranian retaliation at some length in an article today.  Among the experts he spoke to is  Magnus Ranstorp at the Center for Asymmetric Threat Studies at the Swedish National Defense College in Stockholm.

“One very important issue from a US intelligence perspective, [the Iranian reaction] is probably more unpredictable than the Al Qaeda threat,” said Ranstorp.  (continue reading)

.
UPDATE:  Anti-Mullah: 

Iran wants their terror cells ready to retaliate should an Israeli attack take place.

While Jewish locations are the reported target, soft, easy civilian locations are a high priority and as in suicide bombs around the world, non-intended (at least not officially) casualties will hit surrounding areas.

The likelihood of IEDs on our highways and freeways, aimed at specific vehicle targets carrying people is a certainty.

At the same time, these will be used to target oil tankers or railroad cars ostensibly carrying products owned by Jewish organizations.

Notwithsatnding Obama's idealistic/idiotic desire to be fair to TERRORISTS and deal with them using our legal justice system, these same terrorists will DEFINITELY not act within the confines or laws or statutes since none exist to cover the carrnage they plan. Way above what "murder" laws can encompass or handle.  (continue reading)

On another subject:  I love headlines.  Here's one from  The Outraged Spleen of Zion (love her images), "I'd love you even if you were the color of a baboon's ass"

Go read the article and check out the links.

Comments

[Debbie]

Michael:

You make a good point. I do not understand why Bush and Condi are so dead set on forcing Israel to swallow their pride and what's good for them, and submit...

[Michael]

We are too busy inflicting another terror-state upon the Middle-East....we cannot waste time with Iran.

"Palestinian Statehood" must be acheived by January 2009!

http://www.pmw.org.il/Strengthening%20America's%20Enemies%20Final.pdf

Strengthening America’s Enemies:

The ideological allies of a future Palestinian state

Table of Contents:

Part 1: 9-11 in PA-Fatah cartoons

Part 2: PA-Fatah allied with America’s enemies

A: Iraq: Adoration of Saddam; support for terrorist insurgency

B. Venezuela: PA Lauds Chavez attacks on “American imperialism”

C. Iran: PA ally and victim of "America's arrogance"

D. Cuba: PA allies itself with Cuba

E. North Korea: Praise for North Korea and its close ties with PA

F. Syria: PA support for Syria

G. Hezbollah: PA support and admiration for Hezbollah

Part 3:
PA-Fatah demonizes the US as enemy of Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims

Part 4:
Conclusions: An ideological bond unites the PA with enemies of the US

http://www.pmw.org.il/Strengthening%20America's%20Enemies%20Final.pdf

[Debbie]

Only time will tell on this. As stated, simply delaying the project for a few days, weeks, is not the desired goal. It will be interesting to watch developments.

I have no doubt if the Israelis do something, they will surely weigh all options, all outcomes, and act accordingly.

[MK]

Wish Israel would hurry up and do it already, we all know it has to be done sooner or later. Iran's been spoiling for a war for a while now, bout time they got what they wished for. What would be better is if America sends Ahmad a text message or an email stating, if you trigger terror cells in retaliation, then you won't have to worry about acquiring a nuke, we'll give em' to you, express delivery!

[Michael]

"DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO --- DON'T ASK PERMISSION --- UNLESS YOU NEED ASSISTANCE AND BELIEVE YOU WILL GET IT."

The American government has never, and will never, assist Israel in a military operation...the Arabs wouldn't approve.

On the other hand...Israel has assisted the US continuously in their operations in Iraq.

Israelis are suckers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHvFyzoCt1E

[Francis W. Porretto]

Given how Iran has dispersed and buried its major nuclear development installations, I can't see Israel pulling this off all by itself...unless it makes use of its own stockpile of nukes.

The United States doesn't have a conventional weapon capable of busting a deeply buried, reinforced facility, even if it were to land dead on target. Our 15,000 lb "daisy cutter" would merely make it difficult to get into and out of a buried Iranian facility for a few days. I'd be surprised if the Iranians aren't prepared for such an eventuality.

A conventional assault on Iran capable of taking out its ability to develop WMD would therefore require the decapitation of the motive power behind the effort -- the ruling regime. And that would require the military resources of the United States.

If we elect to stand aside, the Israelis will use The Bomb to neutralize this threat -- and Washington knows it. We stand on the cusp of a world-changing event. Stay tuned.

[butch]

My advice to Israel: DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO --- DON'T ASK PERMISSION --- UNLESS YOU NEED ASSISTANCE AND BELIEVE YOU WILL GET IT

Yes in-deedy!

1

[Roy Lofquist]

Beware the man who is slow to anger.

[Steve Harkonnen]

While I'd like to think that this is a mere show of force by Israel - it isn't. From experience knowing about how the IDF functions, Mossad as well - they're really getting ready to hit Iran.

They launched something like, 100 aircraft, including support and rescue assets. They are prepared to take serious losses as we all know that Iran's nuclear assets are well protected with ground defense systems.

The first wave will be purely electronic warfare. These aircraft will knock out defense system radars which will render air defense capabilities useless. Israel should expect losses on this first wave.

Next will come the fighters....paving the way by wiping out as many enemy air assets as possible. Not much loss here (IF the first wave is really successful, that is).

After that, comes the bunker busters as a grand finale.

One thing I do know: Iranian aircraft are in deplorable condition and I don't think they've upgraded their air force much. This will be like the Marianas turkey shoot, Med style, for the IDF. Most of their air force is comprised of aging and poorly maintained F-14's.

I sincerely wish Israel much success and I don't expect this strike to last any longer than a week.

[Debbie]

Stormwarning:

I listed more than one place where the ramifications are discussed.

Mystical Time Traveler and Angel:

They may be waiting for Olmert to resign, but ... They have been doing these military exercises while he is still in office, so not sure.

PALADIN: You are correct, before Israel does this... I hope they know what munitions they need and use an adequate amount to do the job.

Simply doing it halfway will accomplish nothing good.

[Mystical Time Traveler]

It is only a matter of time before they strike. I think they are waiting for Olmert to resign. It is Olmert who is holding up the attack.

[PALADIN]

AS YOU SAID STORM, THERE WILL BE RAMIFACATIONS BUT CAN THIS THING BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE? AS FAR AS ISRAEL IS CONCERNED I WOULD SAY THAT IF SOMEONE SAID THEY WERE GOING TO WIPE MY ASS FROM THE FACE OF THE PLANET I WOULD HIT HIM FIRST AND ASK THE PROVERBIAL QUESTION LATER. WE HAVE GIVEN THIS THING THE DIPLOMATIC OPTION AND IT" S GOTTEN WORSE. I"M THINKING IT"S ALREADY TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ALL THE HARDWARE IS DEEP UNDERGROUND. IN THAT SCENARIO THE STAKES ARE HIGH AS IT WOULD PROBALY TAKE A SUITCASE NUKE TO DO THE JOB.AND A WHOLE LOT OF DEAD AND WOUNDED D BOYS. I DON"t KNOW HOW DEEP THOSE NEW BUNKER BUSTERS WILL GO? BUT IF THE IRAINIANS HAVE MOVED THEY"RE HARDWARE INTO A MOUNTAIN IT"S GONNA TAKE A WHOLE LOT OF DOIN.

[Stormwarning]

Does no one understand the global ramifications of an unprovoked attack? Sheeesh!

[Angel]

what are they waiting for!!! :)