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Ex-IDF Gen. Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash, left, and former USAF deputy commander Charles F. Wald.
 (Chaim Tzach / BauBau and AFP)
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Last update - 17:24 20/10/2009
U.S. officer: If Israel strikes Iran, U.S. will likely join
By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent and Agencies
Tags: Iran, Israel news

The United States would find it difficult not to join an Israeli air strike in the event that Jerusalem decides to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, a former top-ranking U.S. Air Force officer told participants at a conference this weekend organized by a Washington think tank.

Charles F. Wald, former deputy commander of United States European Command, said a military strike on Iran could set back the Islamic Republic's alleged nuclear weapons program by several years, but cautioned, "I don't think Israel can do it alone."

The former commander's remarks were made at an annual gathering of financial backers of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who were joined by diplomats, journalists and analysts.
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"They have a fantastic military, but not big enough for weeks or months of attacks - hundreds of sorties per day," he said.

Wald said that should "our great ally Israel" decide to take military action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, "pressure will mount for us to stand by Israel."

He also criticized the U.S. government and military leadership for not devoting enough attention to Iran's nuclear program in recent years due to their involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wald was also asked to comment on the suggestion by Jimmy Carter's former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski last month that the U.S. shoot down Israeli warplanes if they try to fly over Iraq to attack Iran.

"The chance of that," Wald said, "is zero - no, less than zero."

Last month, Wald and two former U.S. senators authored an article calling for U.S. President Barack Obama to begin preparations for implementing a military option against Iran.

The goal of such preparations, they wrote, would be not only to achieve military readiness for such a strike, but to persuade Tehran of the seriousness of the administration's intentions and convince Israel that it need not act alone.

Also present at the conference was the former head of Israel's Military Intelligence, General (Ret.) Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash, who agreed that the U.S. Air Force could be far more effective than Israel in striking Iran's nuclear program: "The U.S. can destroy the nuclear capacity, and the war would not be long," he said.

He added, however, that Western intelligence may still not know about all of Iran's nuclear sites.

"The Tehran regime doesn't seek suicide," Farkash said. "When they realize we mean business this time, they won't want to lose their regime."

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      1.   I do not understand 05:37  |  gurmit singh 20/10/09
      2.   We know that Obama is Netanyahu`s submissive slave 05:45  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      3.   Only an idiot who could not count would think it could 05:48  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      4.   The next day-the next year 05:52  |  Hassoun 20/10/09
      5.   Absolute Horse Dung 05:54  |  Mark of Lewiston 20/10/09
      6.   To attack would be the biggest mistake in the history of Israel. 05:55  |  John 20/10/09
      7.   Israel is on its own. 06:17  |  Mark 20/10/09
      8.   Anyone remember how WW1 started 06:42  |  Richard Pearce 20/10/09
      9.   Who Is He Kidding? 06:44  |  Boyd 20/10/09
      10.   Soon 06:45  |  Brendan 20/10/09
      11.   Stop the if-talk. Engage or shut up. 06:52  |  Fortuna Benmayor 20/10/09
      12.   more spin, but this kind of stuff could ignite a war 07:31  |  peace monger 20/10/09
      13.   Iran , the war and religion 07:46  |  charro 20/10/09
      14.   The Obama administration isn`t interested in helping Israel to. 07:50  |  B. Gold 20/10/09
      15.   attack????? 07:54  |  arieka 20/10/09
      16.   Pipe dream 08:10  |  Kelly 20/10/09
      17.   This Charles 08:13  |  jay 20/10/09
      18.   This is what will happen 08:20  |  David 20/10/09
      19.   Good news for world peace 08:24  |  Chaim Ben Kahan 20/10/09
      20.   The push seems to be on 08:29  |  Colin Wright 20/10/09
      21.   I hope so, but with Obama in charge ... 08:48  |  Samuel Prime 20/10/09
      22.   we are waiting for the fat lady to sing 08:50  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/10/09
      23.   John 08:56  |  Aby 20/10/09
      24.   same old talks 09:05  |  peace 20/10/09
      25.   The big bang theory 09:18  |  maoriboy 20/10/09
      26.   "The Tehran regime doesn`t seek suicide" 09:43  |  AB 20/10/09
      27.   Bush Doctrine 10:00  |  Kelly 20/10/09
      28.   Neoconservative shrill 10:16  |  John 20/10/09
      29.   Bwa ha ha ha , here goes the Obama nobel `piece` prize 10:20  |  Joseph .E 20/10/09
      30.   #24 Well, I do know one thing, maoriboy 10:33  |  Johnboy 20/10/09
      31.   #17 John-what really willl happen 10:35  |  roland 20/10/09
      32.   #1 - You seem to be missing the simple point 10:43  |  Paul 20/10/09
      33.   to # 1 from India 10:48  |  Dik 20/10/09
      34.   Iran and the contributers to this page 10:49  |  Bronson 20/10/09
      35.   David in Boston 10:49  |  rich 20/10/09
      36.   Commander Charles F.Wald said: "ISRAEL a GREAT ALLEY FROM AMERICA 10:55  |  Arie Heide 20/10/09
      37.   A good question:Will The US be drawn into another war by neo-cons 10:58  |  ¨Vintage Pop 20/10/09
      38.   wishful thinking 11:00  |  Yom Tov 20/10/09
      39.   AB it`s not so simple 11:09  |  Peter Williams 20/10/09
      40.   the only way to collapse the regime 11:16  |  Dave 20/10/09
      41.   Israel can do it alone 11:17  |  mehmet 20/10/09
      42.   Israel strikes Iran 11:32  |  Claire 20/10/09
      43.   The World is going Nuts 11:46  |  H 20/10/09
      44.   There are allies and alleys 11:49  |  Harold 20/10/09
      45.   Washington Inst. for Near East Policy 11:56  |  steve 20/10/09
      46.   Nobel Prize 11:59  |  Joakim 20/10/09
      47.   A Matter of Days not Weeks 12:01  |  Dave 20/10/09
      48.   arie heide 28 12:13  |  potobac 20/10/09
      49.   chaim ben kahan 19 12:19  |  potobac 20/10/09
      50.   Read the story 12:25  |  Lee Anderson 20/10/09
      51.   Kelly and the Bush Doctrine 12:48  |  No Expert 20/10/09
      52.   The officer speaks only for himself. 13:22  |  jens 20/10/09
      53.   # 43 H, you forgot to mention Israel...... 13:26  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/10/09
      54.   Charles F. Wald 13:31  |  Your neighbor 20/10/09
      55.   "the war would not be too long" 13:43  |  Smith 20/10/09
      56.   Laughable 14:09  |  Natallie Durson 20/10/09
      57.   Israel Beware 14:21  |  Peter 20/10/09
      58.   No right for Israel 14:29  |  Dav 20/10/09
      59.   #3; Mark Lincoln, "neutralizing Saudi`s airforce"?? 14:36  |  Mark from Georgia 20/10/09
      60.   Well, This Will Really Position Us Well in the World 14:50  |  Yaakov Sullivan 20/10/09
      61.   Wise commander 15:08  |  Confused 20/10/09
      62.   Wald Scored Points with His Target Audience. "A Former..." 15:11  |  Monitor 20/10/09
      63.   Those Who Favor Iran Attack also want to Quit Afganistan 15:15  |  Monitor 20/10/09
      64.   # 1 You don`t have to understand. 15:23  |  Petra 20/10/09
      65.   # 4 Is that why you moved to Canada? 15:26  |  Petra 20/10/09
      66.   roland makes a great movie plot. 15:28  |  Petra 20/10/09
      67.   Mark Lincoln - A Bit Harsh No? 15:35  |  Jane 20/10/09
      68.   To Arie Heide in Haarlem 15:42  |  Peter 20/10/09
      69.   #55 Swiss Dino "Forgot to mention Israel" 15:43  |  H 20/10/09
      70.   # 57 mark 15:47  |  Axel 20/10/09
      71.   I agree, Cipora # 22. 15:59  |  Fortuna Benmayor 20/10/09
      72.   best thing about this article is how they say jerusalem decides 16:08  |  joe 20/10/09
      73.   Iran`s nuclear program 16:19  |  salah 20/10/09
      74.   Preemptive NOW 16:21  |  Gary 20/10/09
      75.   #64, agreeing with Jane... 16:23  |  Silvienne 20/10/09
      76.   WWI 101 for Richard Pearce 16:23  |  Jacob Blues 20/10/09
      77.   #43, H.... 16:25  |  Silvienne 20/10/09
      78.   As for the rest Mr. Pearce 16:27  |  Jacob Blues 20/10/09
      79.   to Jane 16:27  |  edgar 20/10/09
      80.   chuck the wald 16:30  |  retired officer 20/10/09
      81.   He is talking out of turn 16:30  |  julie 20/10/09
      82.   #1 gurmit singh....if all hell breaks loose 16:31  |  Lynn 20/10/09
      83.   mehmet from Istanbul 16:32  |  David Israel 20/10/09
      84.   wald 16:33  |  Jew 20/10/09
      85.   numero nine 16:35  |  joseph 20/10/09
      86.   #66 H of London....you forgot Switzerland 16:39  |  Lynn 20/10/09
      87.   Harsh? Yes Jane it is harsh 16:44  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      88.   Mark from Georgia 16:46  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      89.   #70 salah....no, such convoluted thinking 16:49  |  Lynn 20/10/09
      90.   NEVER HAPPEN 16:55  |  A TRUE American 20/10/09
      91.   Turkey will never get involved in an attack to Iran,you know why? 17:05  |  mehmet 20/10/09
      92.   To bomb, or not to bomb 17:06  |  John 20/10/09
      93.   edgar - None of Those In US Interests 17:09  |  Jane 20/10/09
      94.   This is like watching countdown 17:11  |  Merle 20/10/09
      95.   John - The Washington Institute is Mentioned 17:17  |  Jane 20/10/09
      96.   Mark Lincoln - I Don`t Agree About Obama-Netanyahu 17:30  |  Jane 20/10/09
      97.   Much ado about nothing! 17:41  |  Crawford 20/10/09
      98.   Iran is "an ant" waiting to be crushed 17:53  |  Murray of Montreal 20/10/09
      99.   Iran 17:55  |  Aref 20/10/09
      100.   Lynn `land of corruption` 18:04  |  Roo 20/10/09
      101.   # 55 H, ha,ha, funny that you mentionned Italy...... 18:29  |  Swiss (Dino) 20/10/09
      102.   Meaningless headline and article 18:30  |  US Observer 20/10/09
      103.   That is fine Jane, unlike some you think and debate 18:41  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      104.   A true saying Jane 18:45  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      105.   The guy expresses wishful thinking 19:07  |  David 20/10/09
      106.   Israel striking Iran 19:12  |  Larry West 20/10/09
      107.   THE ALTERNATIVE FOR IRAN WOULD BE WORSE 19:25  |  Ian 20/10/09
      108.   Peace and Stability or Continuing Unrest 19:34  |  Vladek 20/10/09
      109.   US to let them fly over Iraq 19:36  |  An American 20/10/09
      110.   US would gain nothing and lose a lot by attacking Iran 19:38  |  Goerge 20/10/09
      111.   Pakistan may attack Iran before Israel! 19:44  |  Ian Robertson 20/10/09
      112.   Nothing George 19:45  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      113.   Someone wake # 83 up 19:45  |  David 20/10/09
      114.   An American 19:48  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      115.   Mehmet from Istanbul 19:48  |  Peter Williams 20/10/09
      116.   #101 Swiss Cheese 19:53  |  H 20/10/09
      117.   The key is China and Russia 19:54  |  David Israel 20/10/09
      118.   David from Boston - Peter Williams understood me 20:03  |  David Israel 20/10/09
      119.   David Israel disagree 20:07  |  Peter Williams 20/10/09
      120.   #108 VLADEK ; HISTORY STOOD ON ITS HEAD 20:07  |  Ian 20/10/09
      121.   George from NY short sighted thinking 20:15  |  Peter Williams 20/10/09
      122.   Peter Willliams - I also agree 20:21  |  David Isarel 20/10/09
      123.   David Israel I look forward to that day 20:46  |  Peter Williams 20/10/09
      124.   # 114 mark lincoln 20:53  |  Axel 20/10/09
      125.   #104 Mark Lincoln down in Texas, the secessionist state! 21:17  |  janet 20/10/09
      126.   Peter Williams - I am just a laymen 21:19  |  David Israel 20/10/09
      127.   Ian Robertson 21:32  |  Persian Kitty 20/10/09
      128.   just another one playing with fire, typical american arrogance 21:39  |  Kris Lazar 20/10/09
      129.   Israel will not strike anyone but stands ready for SELF-DEFENCE 22:12  |  Realist 20/10/09
      130.   Ahmadinejad just threatened Pakistan. Pakistan has nukes! 22:19  |  Realist 20/10/09
      131.   Mark Lincoln 2: Obama is no slave, not even the King of Saudi`s 22:23  |  Realist 20/10/09
      132.   Arie Heide 22:26  |  Philippe 20/10/09
      133.   Axel 22:29  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      134.   to 1 Gurmit Singh 22:51  |  Snipes 20/10/09
      135.   #114 No, Mark Lincoln, it does not. 23:20  |  Johnboy 20/10/09
      136.   #25, MAORIBOY, it`s a dud 00:23  |  VIPER 21/10/09
      137.   Chaim Ben Kahan 01:09  |  Hugh 21/10/09
      138.   He`s nuts 01:43  |  Gully Foyle 21/10/09
      139.   #100 Roo....Obama`s gov 02:03  |  Lynn 21/10/09
      140.   #100 Roo...and by the way, a new online game 02:10  |  Lynn 21/10/09
      141.   #121 Peter Williams ....and don`t forget Europe 02:12  |  Lynn 21/10/09
      142.   Ian in Newcastle and Netanyahu and his religously fanatic 02:12  |  jim the mechanic 21/10/09
      143.   Ian in newcastle Who was the villian in the CIA coup 02:25  |  jim the mechanic 21/10/09
      144.   Iran probably already has the bomb 02:36  |  Capt Black 21/10/09
      145.   Jane in Palm beach Hasn`t Bibi stepped over the line yet? 02:48  |  jim the mechanic 21/10/09
      146.   Iran Strike 03:37  |  sfg 21/10/09
      147.   Talkback 03:49  |  Sheila 21/10/09
      148.   #67, Jane 06:02  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/10/09
      149.   #13 charro 07:22  |  Jim 21/10/09
      150.   P.Williams China is working hard on automobile battery technology 07:37  |  PETER SM 21/10/09
      151.   The Iranian Reader Says ... 08:21  |  Sety 21/10/09
      152.   This means... 13:01  |  Pablo Luis 21/10/09
      153.   The Israeli deterrant 17:56  |  Texan 21/10/09
      154.   #142&143jim the mechanic 18:59  |  Ian 21/10/09
      155.   US to join Israel on Iran Strike ? 20:54  |  Gary 21/10/09
      156.   They won`t even need us 08:04  |  Joe 22/10/09
      157.   Israel would not attack Iran because 09:36  |  peace on earth 22/10/09
      158.   PETERSM 13:40  |  Peter Williams 22/10/09
      159.   Put up or shut up 22:06  |  nelson kari 22/10/09
      160.   Ian in newcastle Is 50 years ancient history? 04:15  |  jim the mechanic 23/10/09
      161.   #18, read a history book 11:30  |  Jason 23/10/09
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