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Attack on convoy in Sudan sends a message to Iran.
 (Haaretz)
Last update - 19:14 26/03/2009
ANALYSIS / In bombing Sudan, Israel sends message to Iran
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Israel News, Hamas 

As the final curtain comes down on the Olmert government, CBS reported a sensational air force bombing of an Iranian weapons convoy in Sudan. If Olmert's critics claim that his main legacy is two wars - one failed (Lebanon) and the other problematic (Gaza) - and the failure to return Gilad Shalit, here is a rebuttal.

Despite his deficiencies, the prime minister has throughout his term demonstrated a steely determination in leading military operations into enemy territory. A series of decisions, some of which we only learn of through reports in foreign media, reflect a willingness to take risks in approving distant, secret operations aimed at ensuring Israel's strategic position.

First and foremost is the decision to destroy the nuclear facility in Syria. Also of paramount importance was the attack on the cache of Fajr missiles on the first night of the Second Lebanon War and (according to foreign media), the bombing in Sudan, and the liquidation of senior Hezbollah operative Imad Mughniyeh and Syrian general Mohammed Suleiman.
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The timing of the operation - not long after Operation Cast Lead in Gaza - is indicative of the importance which Israel places in its execution. If the powers that be decide that it is worth taking the risk and striking targets some 1,400 kilometers outside of Israel's borders, than it would appear that Israel believed Iran is seeking to supply Gaza with significant armaments.

A reasonable assumption would be that Iran sought to provide Hamas with Fajr missiles, whose deployment in Gaza would constitute what the IDF terms as "a weapon that shifts the balance." During the Gaza lull, Hamas smuggled Katyusha rockets with an increased range from 20 kilometers to 40 kilometers. If it successfully managed to obtain Fajrs, Hamas could have placed Tel Aviv within missile range, which is exactly the coup it has sought in an effort to create the impression of a victory over Israel.

What does Iran learn from all this? That Israel possesses exceptional intelligence, a willingness to take great risk, and an ability to act successfully against targets far from Israel's borders. Yet Iran knew all this after the previous strikes. If the reports are true, the bombing in Sudan was an important message of deterrence from Israel to Iran, yet the road from Sudan to the destruction of Iran's nuclear program is a long one.

As such, a quartet of F-15 fighter jets is insufficient. A large number of planes taking part in wave after wave of bombing sorties against numerous targets - most of them ensconced deep underground - is required.

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      1.   In bombing Sudan, Israel sends message to Iran? 12:37  |  Natallie Durson 26/03/09
      2.   Israel is sending messages from last 50 years 12:51  |  Jami 26/03/09
      3.   Why are the messages Israel sends always explosive ones? 12:56  |  Michael 26/03/09
      4.   So Israel bombs one convoy 13:18  |  Chris Linthwaite 26/03/09
      5.   # 3 Michael...first one has to get their attention 13:32  |  Lynn 26/03/09
      6.   The only `message` sent by Israel is bombing. 13:34  |  Jack Williams 26/03/09
      7.   those who talk don;t know those who know don`t talk 14:00  |  r 26/03/09
      8.   All Israel has to do to beat everyone is SURVIVE 14:05  |  Jeff 26/03/09
      9.   Nuttalie 14:21  |  Mongo 26/03/09
      10.   Deterrent is the tool 14:30  |  Brod 26/03/09
      11.   Iran to Israel: Bring it on SON 14:41  |  Persian Peace Lover 26/03/09
      12.   #7...says the man who condones bloodshed 15:31  |  #7 26/03/09
      13.   Explosions versus Death Camps for Jews 15:33  |  Mickey from Frisco 26/03/09
      14.   The title of the article is correct. 15:57  |  David Nigel Braham 26/03/09
      15.   The elephant in the room 16:06  |  Colin Wright 26/03/09
      16.   More and more I believe in a nuclear armed Iran. 16:11  |  Lou Medel 26/03/09
      17.   To Chris - Sorry Bomb and Aid Package? 16:15  |  Eli 26/03/09
      18.   Natallie is right. 16:18  |  Antonio da Silva 26/03/09
      19.   Harel advocating "wave after wave of bombing sorties?" 16:22  |  Jon 26/03/09
      20.   #11 Persian Peace Lover 16:24  |  Dave 26/03/09
      21.   Analysis - someone in Israel is shoveling bull stuff 16:27  |  Mark Lincoln 26/03/09
      22.   to Chris 16:37  |  Even 26/03/09
      23.   NO MESSAGE IS NECESSARY 16:45  |  indrajaya 26/03/09
      24.   "Message to Iran ....again ! 16:46  |  DT 26/03/09
      25.   TO THE PERSIAN PEACE LOVER.. YOU`VE GOT IT WRONG 16:48  |  Scott L. Havsy 26/03/09
      26.   Indicates that Israel is out of control 17:08  |  jens 26/03/09
      27.   Persian Peace Lover (#11) what blowback 17:10  |  Gil 26/03/09
      28.   Sudan 17:17  |  jaberman 26/03/09
      29.   there 2 more you need to know about 17:25  |  Simon Mohammed 26/03/09
      30.   to Scott 15 - The Real World 17:40  |  Kam 26/03/09
      31.   Oh, Persian Peace Lover, you`re so funny 17:42  |  American in Reality 26/03/09
      32.   Nothing will change that IAF got Clocked by Hezbolla 17:54  |  Jason Stein 26/03/09
      33.   Jens from Denmark did Israel use WMD or not? 17:57  |  arthur 26/03/09
      34.   Olmert`s severe case of penis envy 18:00  |  Jerry 26/03/09
      35.   Persian Peace lover - Bring it on BRA 18:05  |  Israeli Peace Lover 26/03/09
      36.   #17 and #19 soviets had 39,500 more nukes than u 18:07  |  Persian Peace Lover 26/03/09
      37.   # 19 gil a bag of lies 18:12  |  Axel 26/03/09
      38.   Israel is just sending message to its voters..... nothing else 18:37  |  Iranina-american 26/03/09
      39.   #27 (attack Iran & be back for breakfast?) 18:56  |  Dreamer 26/03/09
      40.   Oh my goodness, bombing Sudan? 19:26  |  ballistic 26/03/09
      41.   Israel Sends message to world 19:27  |  C.S. Stewart 26/03/09
      42.   Sudan`s Strike 19:40  |  Ephraim 26/03/09
      43.   # 25 scott 19:47  |  Axel 26/03/09
      44.   In bombing Sudan, Israel sends message to Iran 19:50  |  steve 26/03/09
      45.   In bombing Sudan, Israel sends message to Iran 19:51  |  steve 26/03/09
      46.   What message? 20:03  |  Rob 26/03/09
      47.   The message is clear. 20:20  |  Stephen. 26/03/09
      48.   Israel Knows It`s Limitations 20:21  |  Cool B 26/03/09
      49.   Messages won`t stop Iran`s nuke program 20:29  |  An American 26/03/09
      50.   Gloves off for worldwide war? 20:36  |  Arik Silverman 26/03/09
      51.   Only way to stop the smuggling to take over philadelphia route 20:46  |  Jason 26/03/09
      52.   #29: Almost too funny 21:56  |  Dylan 26/03/09
      53.   Bashir dancing with Ahmadinejad? 22:01  |  Simha 26/03/09
      54.   Gloves off for worldwide war? #50 Well If You had read what .. 01:22  |  Whiskey 27/03/09
      55.   iran 01:22  |  shimon 27/03/09
      56.   Air strikes! 01:25  |  Le Corbeau 27/03/09
      57.   MICHAEL UK Because other messages came back with NO PEACE 01:40  |  PETER SM 27/03/09
      58.   JENS indicates Israel is in controll.Weapons smuggling 01:44  |  PETER SM 27/03/09
      59.   there are times to celebrate and this is one of them 01:51  |  zionist forever 27/03/09
      60.   MEDEL Unfortunately Sunni Arabs do not want a nuclear Iran either 01:51  |  PETER SM 27/03/09
      61.   Scott L Havsy 03:02  |  Persian Kitty 27/03/09
      62.   MESSAGE 03:02  |  Ed 27/03/09
      63.   Message 03:08  |  Peter 27/03/09
      64.   Israeli Peace Lover 03:15  |  Persian Kitty 27/03/09
      65.   howso,howso jens ,,,howso,howso? jens,jens.. 03:33  |  Heavenly 27/03/09
      66.   # 3 Israel`s explosive messages 04:02  |  memory 27/03/09
      67.   Message after failing in 2 wars 04:03  |  binny 27/03/09
      68.   Bombing Iran 04:03  |  Frank 27/03/09
      69.   2400 ROUND TRIP TO SUDAN 05:14  |  Ed 27/03/09
      70.   #21, Mark Lincoln 06:19  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 27/03/09
      71.   # 67, BINNY 06:22  |  indrajaya 27/03/09
      72.   Is Natallie Durson a haaretz staff member? 07:39  |  John Doe 27/03/09
      73.   ED Mid air refuelling,over the Red Sea straight to Sudan 08:06  |  PETER SM 27/03/09
      74.   Number 66, what rot 08:27  |  Marilyn 27/03/09
      75.   Persian Kitty & Persian Lover 08:43  |  Robert 27/03/09
      76.   Marilyn Australia 12:29  |  The Teacher/Instruct 27/03/09
      77.   We are the victims we 12:46  |  Liranos 27/03/09
      78.   Merilyn Australia 13:13  |  The Teacher/Instruct 27/03/09
      79.   RE we are the victims 17:44  |  Joan 27/03/09
      80.   sudan 21:45  |  ks 27/03/09
      81.   Sudan Bombing of convoy 09:15  |  H Wellinton 28/03/09
      82.   Convoy Bombing 09:20  |  H Wellinton 28/03/09
      83.   #77 Liranos 20:47  |  ballistic 28/03/09
      84.   #79 KS, "occupied Iran"????!!! 20:50  |  ballistic 28/03/09
      85.   Strike First. 07:43  |  SL 06/04/09
      86.   Dirty work 07:48  |  SL 06/04/09
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