Academic

Update on War Between Israel and Iran

By Robert Justin Lipkin

Consider this stunning observation: "ISRAEL will almost surely attack Iran's "nuclear sites in the next four to seven months--and the leaders in Washington and even Tehran should hope that the attack will be successful enough to cause at least a significant delay in the Iranian production schedule, if not complete destruction, of that country's nuclear program. Because if the attack fails, the Middle East will almost certainly face a nuclear war--either through a subsequent pre-emptive Israeli nuclear strike or a nuclear exchange shortly after Iran gets the bomb. It is in the interest of neither Iran nor the United States (nor, for that matter, the rest of the world) that Iran be savaged by a nuclear strike, or that both Israel and Iran suffer such a fate. We know what would ensue: a traumatic destabilization of the Middle East with resounding political and military consequences around the globe, serious injury to the West's oil supply and radioactive pollution of the earth's atmosphere and water." To continue reading click here.

If this report is credible, and I have no reason to believe it is not, what pressure will the international commuity bring to bear on Israel, the United States, and Iran. The insidious apathy exhibited by the European Union, Russia, China, and Japan is reckless and dangerous. If Mr. Morris's prediction proves correct, a holocaust in the entire region will make the catastrophe in Iraq pale by comparison. What controlling under currents prevent the world community from saying no? Is the international community content to allow Israel to do its dirty work while at the same time railing against Israel for engaging in a preventive strike. This certainly does not excuse Israel's conduct, but it surely condemns the failure of the international community to prevent a devastated Middle East. 

Full post as published by Essentially Contested America on July 23, 2008 (boomark / email).