Israel expands war arsenal to deal with Iranian nuclear threat

Israel is expanding its military arsenal to deal with what it views as the greatest threat to its existence: a nuclear attack by Iran.

It has acquired dozens of warplanes with long-range fuel tanks to allow them to reach Iran and signed a deal with Germany for two submarines reportedly capable of firing nuclear missiles.

Though Israeli security officials say a strike against Iran is not on the horizon, senior Israeli politicians have begun openly discussing the possibility of a military option – either alone or with other countries.

Both the United States and Israel refuse to say whether a strike plan is in the works.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20051208-1347-strikingiran.html

in the works.

Translation: IT IS!

"The U.S. – with cruise missiles that can deliver high-explosive bombs to precise locations and B-2 bombers capable of dropping 85 500-pound bombs in a single run – could take on the task, several experts said. "

as explained by the etymology of Carroll's "bandersnatch"--King Monkey and Prince Monkey!

How many does Iran have?

and kill most Israelis before any Israeli response. Israel is a small country with several large population centers. There was some Iranian mullah who suggested a year or two ago that Iran could mount this kind of attack, and even though the Israelis would be able to inflict a terrible retaliatory attack, Iran would still win because they would have destroyed Isreal but because of the size of Iran, the Israelis wouldn't be able to destroy Iran even with 200 nuclear weapons.

I personally doubt anyone in Iran would mount such an attack, but the Israelis can't be blamed for being reluctant to make the same assumption. This is a terrible choice for the Israelis to have to make. I think the current Bush administration plan has been to hope the Iranian populace will overthrow the mullahs. I don't think that's imminent, so I think the Iranians will get the bomb. I think most of the current bellicose rhetoric by Israel and the US is not a lead-up to war, but is instead meant to intimidate the Iranians into cooperating with the Europeans and the nuclear arms control agency. But if Iran does get the bomb, all that will do is result is a long regional cold war. The Iranians will continue their covert terrorism campaign against Israel; the Israelis will support enemies of the mullahs as best as they can.

And this was BEFORE Iran's president started making his statements against Israel.

And Israel said they would use nukes in the strikes.


So who's the real war-monger?

They have never publically acknowledged having nuclear weapons. Where did you hear this?

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Let's see if you're capable of using Google.

a pre-emptive air strike against Iran. There is no mention of Israel using nukes in said air strike. Israel has historically refused to comment on whether or not they even have nuclear weapons. Therefore, I find it hard to believe that a former PM would threaten to use them. I think it would be front-page news in fact, if a top-ranking Israeli politician threatened to use nukes on any country.

Since you're the master of Google, why don't you just post the article that quotes him as saying that?

Did you know he was correct all along?

Here's his post.



Part of Tempest's message is correct, part of it is completely wrong. megatherium and I were tackling the issue of Israel using nukes. This is a bold, even inflammatory charge and needs to be corrected. Tempest has not posted a link of Netanyahu or anybody else making this claim for the simple reason that nobody ever made it to begin with.

I do need to apologize to Tempest for me being an ass right off the bat. Sorry man. This is a passionate subject for me and I can get overheated when I see a unsubstantiated falsehood portrayed as fact. Next time I'll try and be more civil.

I think he may sometime down the road harm me. Should I take him out? Pre-emption is the new American Standard.....:shrug:

are feeling paranoid? Why how foolish of them......

threaten to "wipe you off the map" while pursuing the development of nuclear weapons? Because Israel's just did...

And should Iran have a few nuclear weapons that survive the Israeli strike (and can be delivered), the Israeli government would bring on the very fate that they claim to fear.

I doubt very much that Iran intends to commit national suicide so that they can wipe out Israel. We used to hear the same claims about the Soviet Union - fanatical communists would be willing see hundreds of millions of their own people die as long as the center of capitalist power was destroyed. It never happened. This is the same kind of irrational fear mongering.

very relieved to hear that you ...." doubt very much that Iran intends to commit national suicide so that they can wipe out Israel". That should certainly reassure them.

Just one question. What if you are wrong? Will you be willing to join the Israelis in nuclear holocaust? Oh I'm sorry. I forgot. You will be safe in the U.S. Oh well. Anyone can make a mistake.

That is a fundamental truth of wherever we live. Furthermore, I was saying that MAD between Israel and any other middle eastern nation that attains nuclear capability (and it will happen one day) will be no different from that which prevailed between the west and the Soviet Union.

Anyone who lived in the west over the last 60 years (FWIW I am in Canada) has had to live with the prospect of nuclear holocaust. The U.S. was (is?) hardly safe in that respect. Israel is not unique in living with that awful reality.

Israel is not unique in having to live with that reality. Where Israel is unique is that it is a nation consisting predominantly of refugees (from Europe and Arabic countries) and the children and grandchildren of refugees who, within living memory, saw the world stand by silently while their children were being marched into gas chambers. Perhaps it is understandable that they are a little "paranoid" when listening to the leader of a near-by nation, (who is now revealed as a Hoocaust denier) and who may soon obtain use of nuclear weapons, talk about wiping them off the earth. Unlike most of the rest of the world, they've "been there, done that".

For the time being MAD might be the only strategy that will get the world through the ongoing middle eastern crisis. I think there will eventually be a normalization of relations there, but it may take a long time. I may never see it in my lifetime. The rapprochement in South Africa between whites and blacks gives me some hope that it is possible.

that I am aware of.

Do they?

180

Right HERE.

PB

I have never heard an Israel official admit to having Nukes so I must believe they do not in fact have them.

180

Again.

The result of his provocative comments so far has been increased military spending in the region. Who does that benefit? The only question is whether he is a willing pawn or not.