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At the same time, "(t)here is not a single senior official in the establishment -- neither among the (IDF) top brass nor in the security branches, or even the president -- who supports an Israeli strike at the moment."
Nonetheless, "Netanyahu assessed that this was empty talk. That Obama will not take action. Barak was less confrontational, but his conclusion was similar. He said that Israel could not entrust its security in the hands of a foreign state".The US can live with a nuclear Iran. Israel cannot."
Former Mossad head Ehraim Halevy said if he "was an Iranian, (he'd) be very fearful of the next 12 weeks." Former Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Zeevi Farkash said "(i)t seems to me that (an Israeli attack) could come in the near future, that is, weeks or a couple of months."
Others accuse Netanyahu and Barak of playing a dangerous game. One hopeful sign is that war plans are publicly debated.
In "The Art of War," Chinese general/strategist/philosopher Sun Tzu said "All warfare is based on deception." Enemies aren't alerted in advance.
"Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable. When using our forces, we must seem inactive. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. When far away, we must make him believe we are near."He also said "(l)et your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt."
Perhaps Israeli bombast is more bark than bite. If not, deception won't be part of its strategy. Publicly, positions of both sides have been featured ad nauseam.
Earlier Israeli wars weren't pre-announced. Plans were secret until initiated. Discussions were held privately. Current openness won't affect whether or not attacking Iran follows.
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