Livni, at NATO: There is no doubt Iran is seeking nuclear arms

Get hold of yrself, and yr handkerchief, DooDoo. Israel will not have to do anything. The Americans will annihilate all Iranian military capacity - including retaliatory capacity - in a comprehensive first strike.

Livni has caught the Bushian disease: Lieing to her teeth. Iran enriching uranium in violation of the NPT? NPT is not even about enriching. It is the Safeguards Agreement that governs enriching. Besides, Article IV of the NPT recognizes Iran's its sovereign, inalieable right to nuclear technology. Talking about NPT by Livni cannot get more ridiculous than that. Israel herself has not signed the NPT, but expects other nations to follow it? The only peace that the right wing in Israel is interested in is graveyard peace, one in which everybody is dead silent, so that Israel can do what ir wishes. That kind of peace will not break out. Only an honorable and fair peace - fair to every party including Israel - can and will eventually occur.

"there`s a gap between leaders and people" It is quite normal that sometimes leaders do 'unpopular' things. But there's a limit even to this. Following Bush - who is regarded by a large majority of Germans as an incompetent moron - into a military adventure would cost Merkel the next national elections.

I agree with your assessment. It seems the USA and the west conveniently turn a blind eye on the only Nuclear power in the Middle East, i.e. Israel, who is NOT EVEN a signatory to the IAEA protocol. It sickens me of the double standards played on the political arena with its lamentable consequence to human lives. When will the world demand justice?

The Iranian dispute with the US goes back a long way. They may have some fear of Israeli attack, but the US threat is more imminent. Where once there was cooperation, there is now unnecessary hostility. That hostility is not all Iran's fault or the US fault. There is plenty of blame to share.

I just hope a sufficient number have learned the lesson so the country can outlive the current administration without starting another war. It is beginning to look like even in the Republican party, less hard liners are in the ascendancy, and Guiliani and Romney are waning.

Thanks for the links. Neither my son or daughter think of their jobs as heroic. My son was an Airforce plumber and now is a civilian contract plumber at the same airbase he worked at when he was active duty. My daughter is Navy, but on loan to the Army. I'm not allowed to know what she does, but it involves travel to various countries in the region a lot. I will pass along the message, though.

1 Your post is not a response to my post. 2 Iran fears the US, not Israel. Iran would have nothing to fear if it did not violate international norms. Iran is a terror state par excellence. 3 The NIE( it is not the IDE), clearly states that Iran had a nuclear weapons program until 2003; that it continues to enrich uranium in violation of UNSCR's; that it continues to build its heavy water plant; that Iran has all the scientific and technical knowledge to resume nuclear a weapons program. Iran remains a threat to regional and world stability, and of this, there is absolutely no doubt. 4 Add to that that Iran wants to demolish the State of Israel, in violation of the United Nations Charter.

The Sudanese wanted to execute a British teacher, Gibbons, a fortnight ago, for letting her pupils name the class-room mascot-teddy, Mohammed, which the Moslems took for an insult! This incident(like the Danish cartoon-incident) shows that it does not take much fot the Moslems with nukes and with no sense of humour to go wild and to blow up the entire world with ease, fuelled with undisciplined emotional passion. Personally I think that the world should get rid of ALL its nukes. Since this is not likely to happen, the ONLY countries to have nukes should be the 1st world countries that understand their devastation to life on Earth, if they, G-D forbid, ever were used. I am afraid the Moslem under-developped 3rd world countries simply do not have the same grasp of the seriousness of their usage. Moslems going on rampage over petty issues, shows they have no sense of responsibility nor self-discipline, but are quick to act irrationally. Nukes in such hands is a serious fear-factor!

Jews feel comfortable in the presence of non-Jews because they are like me, unchallenging dimwits? Nice try. Thanks for the chuckle, Eli. (;-) CF

"You gave an example of an IAF strike that accidently killed 15 people" I stopped reading your post right there, Muetter. Israel KNEW this apartment complex was packed with innocent civilians. They KNEW that dropping a 1-tonne bomb on the place was CERTAIN to produce mass civilian death. They went ahead anyway, thinking that the death of 15 Palestinians, including 9 sleeping children, was a cheap price to pay for the murder of 1 old Hamas leader. This bombing was a deliberate, cold-blooded decision. The murder of the civilians was no "accident" as you claim. It was barbaric butchery, revealing the true nature of the Israeli State.

Why wouldn't Iran feel threatened, being faced with daily fist shaking and belligerent pronouncements from the neocon gang in the the US and their stokers in Israel? the threat to israel is minute by comparison to the threats issued against Iran supposedly because it is seen as a danger to israel, but in reality a danger only to israeli/US hegemony in the ME. Iran has every right to enrich uranium, just as israel does. The laws you cite are trumped up charges by the Bolton/Cheney neocons - why do you subscribe to such a discredited school of poor thought? are the war crimes committed in Iraq not enough? how many killed and for what? and who is planning those permanent bases and why? You need to think a bit straighter and stop exchanging the roles of the menacing tiger (Israel) and the monkey making loud noises (Iran). Should Israel miscalculate and strike on its own against peaceful people who attacked nobody of late, all bets are off. The IDE report is just the the first salvo..

would be that you are not as intelligent. Being with you does not cause us to have to think. It is like being on vacation where we clear our minds by laying on a sandy beach, soaking the sun. NOW you know.

You gave an example of an IAF strike that accidently killed 15 people. Even you admitted that it was targeting a High level HAMAS leader. Fact: Hamas is a terrorist organization, making its members terrorists. The human rights violation here (and palestinian militants have no shame about this one) is that a terrorist leader embedded innocent people around him, acting as a shield. If I were a terrorist leader, and I feared that an attempt miht be made on my life, is it not murder to embed myself with children knowing full well any attempt on my life will indirectly threaten theirs? IDF commanders DO NOT hide behind women and children. If HAMAS wanted to attack the IDF, they could do so without hurting innocent people. If the IDF wants to retaliate, which is well with in in rights to do so, it cant have a military victory without having a human rights violation on their hands. The fault is on those who knowingly put innocent people in harms way to shield their lives.

www.forensic-psych.com/articles/artMcNaughtonRule.php

Well said. "If Israel attacks Iran, the rest of the world should strike back in kind." I wonder if the rest of the world could stand up and give this warning, and publically make this stand? "If there is any anti-semitism in the world, and I don`t deny that there is, a lot of it is the result of the arrogant attitudes expressed by Israelis and their government." Also well said. You reap what you sow.

There are only two nations which are demanding immediate attacks against anyone in the region. They are: 1. Israel, and 2. The United States. I would have listed them in reverse order last week, but cannot deny the spin coming from both directions. No question the (weak) President of Iran has stated that Israel will vanish because of forces unstated (probably historical). It can also be ventured that said President of Iran has only been able to remain in office by shifting public attention from his failure to produce an improvement in the standard of living to a confrontation with Israel. Chances of attack from Iran - zero, zilch, nada, not possible.

They meet the McNaughton Test for criminal insanity. Mark lincoln I never heard of this test. Presumably you have been tested? Or was it schizophrenia?

Israel won't give up on its nasty little war against Iran. If Israel attacks Iran, the rest of the world should strike back in kind. It bothers me that a people that suffered as the Jews did in WWII is so zealous to launch a nuclear war against another country that might result in 6M dead Iranians. But I forget, as one of your rabbis put it some years ago, in defending Baruch Goldstein, "1,000 Arabs aren't worth a Jewish fingernail." Of course, the Iranians aren't Arabs, but they're clearly regarded by Jews as subhuman. If there is any anti-semitism in the world, and I don't deny that there is, a lot of it is the result of the arrogant attitudes expressed by Israelis and their government.

Hello Dana, Long time no see. What happened? I believe Iraq and Iran were only viewed by Israel in terms of the danger they posed. Oil etc are for the Big Guy to worry about. Of course the neocons worried about that and wanted to dominate the Gulf for this purpose (PNAC plan), but this was not Israel. The neocons went to Iraq with Israeli encouragement, but the purpose was to topple Saddam who had fired missiles on Israeli cities. The next step was to "pacify" Iran, according to neocon planning, and Israel would have given an even bigger blessing for this step, but again out of fear. There must be fear that Israel will attack, bringing retribution upon the US too. But I find it unlikely to happen. Israel simply does not have the capability for a thorough job, and this will not be worth the trouble it will get into with the rest of the world. I am relaxed about Israel, and about the US as well. The NIE stole Bush's Christmas; let him ask Santa for something else. P.S. The NIE was worked out by the Intelligence Community, not the Pentagon. There is a large Defense component to Intelligence, so I am willing to give credit to both these communities. Nobody wants to allow Baby Bush to get them into a terrible mess again.

"There are the old-fashioned threats coming from states like Iran - a dangerous regime based on an extreme religious ideology (So what is Zionism then? What is the idea of a Jewish State? What about the extremist West Bank settlers?) and speaks clearly about its vision of wiping a state off the map (Like Israel has done to Palestine), denies the Holocaust, works with radical elements in order to undermine other regimes in the region (Mossad? Invading Lebanon? Bombing Syria? Weakening the Jordanians, Weakening the Palestinians) and financing terrorist organizations (Stern Gang? Kahne Movement?) - while simultaneously tries to achieve nuclear weapons (What just like Israel, the first in the Middle East to have them)" Livni said....Israel is rotting from the inside...

people want the troops back,but neither the Republicans nor the Dems will do so.In Britain,Blair supported an unpopular war.And Merkel,I'm afraid is in the same camp.

re-iterating that stupid hasbara again.

You people really reaaaaally suck at this censorship thing!!!!! Surprise no more, THIS post will pass your ridiculous censor.....what a shockerooni........

barks at it's own shadow! No one can believe it anymore.

After US submitted their revised inteligence on Iran where they wanted to be cautious after the iraq mess, sanctions will fall like a house of cards.Israel is on its own with iran. olmert and livni tied israel's wagon to Bush and rice in a subservient sickening way. Almost nothing has resulted from rice's foreign policy efforts. Olmert and livni, the dumb duo seeking any road to peace, tied themselves to annapolis falling over themselves with concession after concession while abbas has offered nothing. What about israel claims? israel right now has enough trouble with gaza and rockets. What do you think is going to happen from the west bank? israel has to be strong, steady, look the enemy in the eye and say go to hell when its interests are at stake. So, Olmert and ramon in particular can both go to hell.Livni is a nice person but she can also jump in the lake. The biggest obstacle to any progress is Olmert, a disgraceful leader who represents the weakest and most submissive israeli

"Like I said, 187 countries in the WORLD don`t brand hezbollah as a terrorist org, . . . " - Persian Kitty More important if you are in touch and dealing with reality, the government of Lebanon does not consider Hizbollah a terrorist organization. It considers it the most annoying, irritating and upstart part of the government of Lebanon. We must understand that the maniacs running Israel and the US right now have no concern with reality, believe that reality is what they imagine it to be, and will never, ever, accept the idea they must deal with reality. They meet the McNaughton Test for criminal insanity.

"no doubt Livni is lying" - Dav To be lying she would have to know about a lot of things she has never appeared to know anything about, such as nuclear physics and the engineering necessary to produce nuclear weapons. As she - like Bush - refuses to provide the slightest evidence to bolster her claims she might simply be a person who does not have a clue about either nuclear weapons or the truth. She is a politician. And that pretty much eliminates the possibility that she is encumbered with any morality, decency or honesty. Therefore it is clear she might well be lying. Or she might simply be an idiot. Come to think of it, she doesn't act idiotic. You are right, she's lying.

Hello Dana, Long time no see. What happened? I believe Iraq and Iran were only viewed by Israel in terms of the danger they posed. Oil etc are for the Big Guy to worry about. Of course the neocons worried about that and wanted to dominate the Gulf for this purpose (PNAC plan), but this was not Israel. The neocons went to Iraq with Israeli encouragement, but the purpose was to topple Saddam who had fired missiles on Israeli cities. The next step was to "pacify" Iran, according to neocon planning, and Israel would have given an even bigger blessing for this step, but again out of fear. There must be fear that Israel will attack, bringing retribution upon the US too. But I find it unlikely to happen. Israel simply does not have the capability for a thorough job, and this will not be worth the trouble it will get into with the rest of the world. I am relaxed about Israel, and about the US as well. The NIE stole Bush's Christmas; let him ask Santa for something else. P.S. The NIE was worked out by the Intelligence Community, not the Pentagon. There is a large Defense component to Intelligence, so I am willing to give credit to both these communities. Nobody wants to allow Baby Bush to get them into a terrible mess again.

But it never occurs to you that the radical Palestinians who call for the destruction of Israel and the death of all jews are the ones to blame. Is it the IDF's fault that these scumbags hide amongst women and children? Should that fact deter the IDF form hunting these teror scum down? Your reasoning is flawed and backwards my friend. Maybe you need to take a logic class to understand cause and effect. Israel would not bomb a single Palestinian target if palestinians were peaceful people. But they're not even close to that. This is common sense!!!

"Those of use who read your post several weeks ago listed the 11 reasons you hate a particular religious group know your real motivation." Thanks for the chuckle, Tom. As well you know, I was simply replying to an interesting story that said that Jews felt more comfortable in the company of non-Jews. I then listed some of the qualities that made people less than congenial to be with. These qualities ranged from "being judgmental" to "arrogance". (I won't list more since this will again lead to a deletion). I then asked which of these qualities were relevant. Seemed a fair enough question to me at the time. By the way, do you have an explanation of why Jews prefer the company of non-Jews? In all the rush to call me anti-semitic, nobody ever got round to answering that question.

It is very clear given the great opportunities deliberately destroyed in the last two years that there will be no peace for Israel for at least another generation.

"A "just solution" to the refugee problem seems to me a reasonable expectation that can be fulfilled and bring peace." - Tosefta That just solution will require the surrender - with minor border changes for better security - of ALL the occupied territories except the Old City of Jerusalem as WELL as compensation for property annexed into Israel by the 1948 cease fire. A bit of Gazastan, a blop of Jeninistan, a smidgeon of Ramallastan and a dash of Jerichovia all separated by Israel check points and settlements is just not going to work.

"And they are learning that you cannot just take over a country with impunity." - Mark of Lewiston Some of them have learned. The coterie around Darth Cheney are still dedicated to world conquest and the Shrub has been leaning that way again since the democrats rolled over and fouled themselves when struck by the junta's "September Victory Offensive" in the Battle of Washington.

No one is getting bent out of shape...settle down. I just really wanted to hear your answer for why Israel was in Lebanon. It seems that there are two points of view here. One thinks Israel is always the aggressor, while the other (my view) is that Israel has to eliminate threats to its people which are real. You cannot expect Israel to sit back an let its neighbors conspire to destoy it, can you? Hamas, Hezballah, Islamic jihad etc etc all want one thing...Israel gone. This will never happen of course, but they will always try until they die. The main problem with everything we talk about is Radical Islam. It is a cancer in our world and yet some naitons fund and sponsor it...why? I work for a muslim doctor adn we talk about this a lot. How come the muslim world...at least the moderate part, doesn't condemn or try to stoop the radical side? Why do we tolerate the oppression of women in Muslim societies? Why does a girl who got raped have to be punished in Saudi arabia?

You are correct in your analysis, and for the reasons that you give. Even Rafsansani, considered a "moderate," has the same attitude regarding Israel. Nor is Iran's real interest one of justice for the Palestininas, but the conquest of Jerusalem for Shia Islam.

Ravi, avoiding being redundant, please read my post 74 & 79. Peace!

I had heard about the 7 countries/5 yrs plan. And I think the fall of saddam scared the mullahs to pieces and hence the 2003 propsal. Here's a link to Gareth Porter's piece on it: http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=11539 And the link to the actual proposal: http://www.mideastweb.org/iranian_letter_of_2003.htm It's interesting that Cipora mentioned Admiral Fallon's coming one-day trip to Israel. As I remember, he has been super vocal against any US strike on Iran and has voiced that he WILL resign at the first order of such an attack. If that isn't firm enough coming from THE man, in charge of command and control, I don't know what is. The neocons have ruined our prestige in the world and caused misery and pain for countless people. Remember their "boys go to Baghdad but real men go to Tehran"? I guess they're not real men afterall!!!! Hope your kids are doing OK (please thank them for their unbelievable heroism in the face of our dark realities for me)....Peace.

You could have just as easily had the scales fall from your eyes regarding the Palestinians when they started blowing up men women and children in buses - spare us your phony sanctimony. Those of use who read your post several weeks ago listed the 11 reasons you hate a particular religious group know your real motivation.

Interesting post C/F. My own transformation parallels yours. I'd forgotten how long I've been logging on to Haaretz. 2002, maybe even earlier. My position has changed from an ardent IDF supporter to a proud Pal defender as a result of reading here daily and a few other English language middle east websites. All the news is all bad for the Jews so it seems. You almost never read about an act of kindness. Maybe one for every dozen stories about confirming kills or murdering farmers in their fields. Horrible.

What hyperbole? I suggest your read my posts again. I was responding to Tosefta's statment that a solution to the Palestinian is the way to end the threat from Iran. (he cited the Iran of the Shah as an example) All I'm saying is the Iran of the Shah and the Iran of the Mullahs is not the same. That a solution to the Palestinian problem that Tosefta envisions - which I assume is a two state one, will not end the hostility from Iran. In my opinion they will not be satisfied with a two state solution - why? I believe religion plays a large part in that. We will see. A one state solution implies an end to Israel.

I think you err in only attributing benign purposes to Israel, as the current frantic handwaving over the IDE report demonstrates. There is a genuine fear in Israel that as the Bush regime comes to an end, so will its chance to disable Iran's capabilities. The threat seen in israel - and echoed by neocon circles in the US - is that of the rise of Iran to a regional power level that can challenge US & israel hegemony. That was the original blueprint that led to the Iraq debacle, which of course, is just another play empirical play by overly ambitious (and immoral) influence peddlers who keep their eyes on the ultimate price (oil). Of course, the release of the report at this time was just a shot across the bow straight from the pentagon which opposes more adventurism, and a signal to Israel to cool its hawks. The fear everyone has now is that Israel will do something irrational, overplaying its hand, and dragging the US with it. I'd not underestimate the potential for catastrophy.

I've come to the conclusion that, as you might say, we operate at different levels. I have little motivation ,at this point, in communicating with someone who thinks that that, absent the Palestinian problem. the Iran of the Shah and the Iran of the Mullahs is the same vis a vis Israel, who doesn't understand what motivates people - who can't see that the phrase "a just solution to the refugee problem" means different things to different people. My advice to you - continue to believe in your superior powers of analysis, and be happy. My advice to you - continue to

"Sarkozy&merkel,the 2 new poodles" What on earth makes you regard our chancellor as Bush's poodle? Schroeder defeated Merkel's party with his opposition to the Iraq war. The German public is 90% against military action in Iran. What do you think is Merkel going to do???

I agree that US-Russian relations need improving. I doubt that such improvement can take place in the near future given the leadership in both countries. There is a remote possibility that relations between Iran and the US could improve, provided that Ahmadinejad is eased out of office. I disagree with you about uranium enrichment. Iran is still enjoined from carrying out enrichment under present UNSCR's. Iran seems eager to convince the world that the NIE is wrong to conclude that Iran had had a nuclear weapons program until 2003, at least. I find this denial by Iran interesting. Yesterday, some people said that Iran feels threatened by Israel, hence their nuclear weapons program. That argument is a petitio principii. Israel had no problem with Iran until Iran started its nuclear weapons program. I suggested that Israel and Iran sign a non-aggression pact. I cannot see Iran being interested--Ahmadinejad in his speech at Columbia said that Iran will never recognize the Zionist regime.

Israel dropped fliers and then targeted the civilians who were able to get transportation killing them. Don't leave out the punch line. Of course, those who didn't get the message and could not leave died. Yep, always tell the whole story. Same BS you guys said about the King David Hotel, say, we gave them warning. Well, how about if people give the Zionists warning that they are treading on very thin and melting ice, will that be okay with you? Okay. Regards.

he said we were evil,the new settlers to america said we were evil,so we must be,now the judaio/christians are saying iran is evil,i say the power hungry greedy people spreading these lies are evil.

Well, my problem is the general hyperbole. And I think we need to be very exact, here. Irans supreme leader has explicitly said, that Palestine belongs to all Palestinians, Jews, Muslims and Christians - nobody should be excluded, based on race or religion, nobody should be driven into the sea. Now, this is basically the one-state solution. You do not have to agree with this. But it should not be misunderstood as a desire to start a nuclear suicide mission. And if you look at the desire of Israels settlers, to live in Hebron or East-Jerusalem I do not see, that Israel really supports a two-state solution. Why is there so much hyperbole?

"Who brainwshed you to be the way you are???" I was once, believe it or not, DR, pro-Israeli, in a fuzzy, ill-informed sort of way. Then I started reading Haaretz. In July 2002 I read the account of the 1-tonne bombing by an F-16 of a crowded apartment complex in Gaza to kill Sheikh Salah Shahada. This very old Hamas leader was indeed killed, but Israel also killed 15 innocents, including 9 sleeping children. At that moment the scales fell away from my eyes and I saw the true nature of the Israeli State - evil, violent, cruel and prepared to pay any price in innocent Palestinian lives in the pursuit of its ends. This conviction has never wavered since then, indeed the more I read Haaretz and its news stories and articles, the more certain I am that Israel is a vile, perverted monstrosity of a country that must change its ways dramatically or be destroyed. So what is it that has "brainwashed" me into loathing the State of Israel. Facts - the steady flow of information.

Ravi, if you think your point was proven, then I withdraw the suggestion of closer reading, because it will make no difference. I happen to be talking about religious imperatives that would lead to hatred. A "just solution" to the refugee problem seems to me a reasonable expectation that can be fulfilled and bring peace. In any case, there is no religion here that I see. This is my final post on the subject.

Picking out a few anecdotal quotes is silly and proves little. See the following quote - "The Palestinian issue is not an internal Israeli matter. It involves the interests of the whole Islamic world, including Iran. All should strive to return that piece of land to Islamic hands." Ayatollah Khamanei in 2000. Anyone can find a quote to prove their point on this matter. The point is to try to UNDERSTAND - see see beyond the obvious. Are you really a professional scholar? That suprises me.

My apologies, I thought I was having a grown up conversation from an objective point of view. You specifically ask me 2 questions about hezbollah and I answered them systematically and methodically. And then you come back with:"you fail to address the main question". Just because you didn't like my answer doesn't make it untrue or automatically dismissed. Like I said, 187 countries in the WORLD don't brand hezbollah as a terrorist org, don't kill the messenger (not defending anything). That's regardless of my PERSONAL opinion whatever it may be. Please don't waste my time any further if you get emotionally all bent out of shape and can't keep an objective view. Thank you.

In Israel, reality is viewed as something which can be molded to suit Israels needs at the moment. Livni unflinchingly contradicts the evidence of several top American intelligence agencies while offering no proof of her views. This is typical and typically unconvincing, to say the least.

I had not heard of the proposal. But a rejection of such a proposal by Bush and Cheney would be consistent with their philosophy, especially in the early years of the current administration. I saw General Clark speaking a few weeks ago. Somehow he had learned of an early plan, formulated just after 9-11, for the US to invade 7 countries over a 5-year period, including Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lybia, Syria, Lebanon and N Korea. Fortunately, reality took some hold. We only invaded two of these countries. And they are learning that you cannot just take over a country with impunity.

Islam, based on the Qur'an has a very tolerant attitude towards Christians and Jews, with two reasonable exceptions: 1) If Muslims are attacked, they are allowed to defend themselves. 2) If Muslims are persecuted or have to live under severe oppression. I see no difference here in comparison to secular/Christian people or with Israel. I can not remember, that the US, for example after the Pearl Harbour-attack turned the other cheek. Israel would defend herself too and Israel would not be silent, if Jews would have to face discrimination or persecution. So basically Islam supports legitimate resistance or defense. Seriously, what do you expect the Muslims to say? Maybe: "Yes, oppression is okay, because Israelis are the good guys by default?" What about ending the occupation?

I didn't say the Iranians want to kill Jews, I said they want to eradicate the state of Israel. A close reading of the quotes you cited prove that point. They desire an end to Jewish sovereignty - the return of refugees will accomplish that. An agreement with the Palestinians that ends in a two state solution will not mollify them.

America first!

You cannot prevent the birds from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair. A bird does not chirp because it has an answer. It chirps because it wants to make a sound. The early bird gets the worm, but the wiser mouse gets the cheese. Her imagination resembles the wings of an ostrich. It enables her to run, though not to soar. A woman with a fixed idea is like an ostrich that tries to hatch a rock.

I didn't say that the Iranian ruling class hates all non Moslems. I merely said that they are driven in part by religious ideology - that ideology includes the belief that Palestine belongs to Moslems- and that the solution to the Palestinian conflict, while easing some pressure, will not change their hostility to Israel, nor their desire to do something about it.

the world or the ME.Its actions are always defensive.Recall the Iraq-Iran war,started by saddam,with u.s.encouragement.BTW,Iran is a sovereign country and can have its own nuclear policy.The NAM(Non Aligned Movement) recently endorsed Iran's nuclear policy.

I hope they give him everything. The game playing has to end. I am not, however opposed to IAEA monitored enrichment for any country, just weapons production. That includes Iran, My whole life, I've lived with the possibility of a nuclear attack from somebody, usually the Russians. With the re-sovietization of Russia proceeding apace and Bush and Putin trying to impress each other, that is a far greater danger. It is time also for another round of START with the Russians. But I fear Bush is not up to it. The sabre rattling is counter productive, at best. The almost daily threats from Israel and the US towards Iran only serve to stiffen their spine. And it does not help that the US is building bases surrounding Iran, either. The Iranians will never have conditions conducive to getting rid of the Mullah regime or even finding more moderate leaders if they constantly fear attack.

tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=154318 6 October 2007 "TEHRAN -- Millions of people across the world held rallies in support of the Palestinian people on Friday, which was International Qods Day. . In his Qods Day speech, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said a ?free referendum? is the solution to the Palestinian issue, explaining that the Jews, Muslims, and Christians residing in the territory as well as the five million Palestinian refugees should take part in a plebiscite to determine their own destiny. . In his sermon at the Qods Day Friday prayers in Tehran, Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said no peace plan will succeed until a just solution is found for the problem of the five million Palestinian refugees who have been driven out of their homeland." Ravi, here is the latest Qods Day speeches. Try to find a religious PRINCIPLE that motivates the Iranians other than pro-Muslim solidarity and anti-Western animosity. Of course, the Iranian regime`s worldview is Islamic, and you will hear the words God, Allah, Muslims, Infidels, etc quite a lot. But it takes more to be on a religious crusade. The name of the game in the scholarly world is "close reading". Sorry if it sounds shallow to you, but this is the way it is.

cont'd..Middle East:1)stop of any material support to Palestinian opposition groups (Hamas,Jihad etc.)from Iranian territory, pressure on these organizations tostop violent actions against civilians within borders of 1967.2)action on Hizbollah to become a mere political organization withinLebanon3) acceptance of the Arab League Beirut declaration(Saudi initiative,two-states-approach).Now keep in mind that this was in Apr/May of 2003, waaay before Ahmadi's time during the moderate Khatami.If this proposal wasn't snubbed not only would it be good for the region,but also it may have sped up democratic & reform movements w/in the Iranian society & who knows w/out external threat the mullahs would have no legitimacy and would crumble from w/in. We would have our boys and girls back home,Iranians on their way to a democratic society and a lot more for the region including Israel. But the proposal got the boot from Cheney & even "brain kid" Rove messed up what was nothing short of a miracle.

One has to wonder whether a hate as exclusive, as single minded, can have a rational basis to it. No, it cannot, just in answer to my own question.

Again, you fail to address the main question. Israel did not invade Lebanon in 1982 to take it over or steal their land. The PLO was a threat and Israel needed to end it. In 2006, Israel was attacked by Hezballah, responded and we all know what happened after that. hezballah fired rockets from civilian neighborhoods, stopped people from leaving their homes, staged fake deaths and Ambulance runs etc etc. But you're right, they are not a terror group!!! Meanwhile, Israel dropped flyers telling people to leave their homes b/c they were near legitimate targets. Again, who is looking out for the people? you are trying to defend the indefensible.

"but anyone who thinks that the Mullah ruling class is not motivated by religious imperatives, in addition to other motivations, doesn`t understand Iran." Iran is not intolerant against Christians or Jews. For example Armenia is a mostly Christian nation, the relations with Iran are very good: Despite religious and ideological differences, relations between Armenia and the Islamic Republic of Iran remain relatively cordial and both Armenia and Iran are strategic partners in the region. President Ahmadinejad of Iran has been quoted as saying "The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes and supports the development of ties with Armenia in various areas, particularly in energy as well as transportation, sports, and tourism." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran-Armenia_relations My impression is, that there is a big effort, to put everything into the convenient narrative of a big religious conflict, maybe in order to keep peoples attention away from the occupation.

I think it's the short-sightedness of the necon ideology. In 2003 Iran sent a secret comprehensive proposal to Washington that offered peace & recognition of Israel, stop aiding palestinaian militants,full transparency of nucular program: WMD-full transparency for security that there are no Iranian endeavors todevelop or possess WMD, full cooperation with IAEA based on Iranianadoption of all relevant instruments (93+2 and all further IAEA protocols).Terrorism: decisive action against any terrorists(above all Al Qaida)on Iranian territory,full cooperation & exchange of all relevant information.Iraq: coordination of Iranian influence for activity supporting politicalstabilization & the establishment of democratic institutions & a non-religious government...cont'd

You are right to say that it is Iran's theocracy in particular, as opposed to Iran, which poses a danger to Israel. You are also right in saying that this theocratic regime is not motivated by the Palestinian issue, but rather by religious duty. Some people will not be able to make this distinction, especially since they tend to put the blame exclusively on Israel.

ad, I wholeheartedly agree that it is beyond presumtuousness (is that a real word??) for a representative of the Israeli state to criticize another country for failing to accede to UNSC resolutions and the NPT. How can the media fail to call her on this gross hypocrisy rather than printing these absolute bullsh*t statements with what seems to be a straight face.

"I will add here that Iran`s enmity is not inherent, but is the result of the Palestinian problem. (Israel had good relations with the Shah.)" - Tosefta Even after the Shah Tosefta. On 18 July 1981, a Su-15 shot down a Transportes Aereo Rioplatense CL-44 over Armenia which was sneaking through Soviet air space on a flight from Tel Aviv to Tehran via Cyprus. The cargo of the CL-44 was weapons parts including parts for F-4s which the US had sold to Israel. When Reagan cut the arms for hostage deal with Iran in the early 80s, the US shipped Improved HAWK equipment to Israel, which then shipped the same parts and rounds for the older HAWK system to Iran. Things got pretty nasty after that.

Who brainwshed you to be the way you are??? palestinians and Israelis used to get a long just fine. My dad had Palestinians wolring on our hhouse whne it was built. But then somone decided to start the intifada and the Palestinians started teaching their kids to hate and use terror against inncoent civilians. you seem to miss these facts in your litttle brain. You should be mad at the Palestinians for indoctrinating their kids to hatred, giing them guns and bombs instead of toys and brainwashing them to hate Jews. But no, you hate Israel and that is all you know. Israel is one of the biggest contrinbutors in the world for technology and medicine, so i think your assumption that no one would miss it is way off. Plus Israel wil be around long after all the Muslims die trying to destroy her.

To say Iran has the missiles for a nuclear bomb is to say Iran has advanced missiles for conventional weapons. No big whoop. To say they were caught with blueprints for a nuclear bomb is a lie. Who says so? Iran provided blueprints to the IAEA inspectors for forming hemispherical shapes using various non-weapons forms of uranium, as far as we know. And then, there is the biggest lie ? that they are racing or even walking towards that final component, highly-enriched uranium. From where? Says who? Everyone who KNOWS anything says otherwise. However, low-enriched uranium is what Iran is making for reactor fuel. As you would do. If you had uranium and the sophisticated technical means to convert that uranium to fuel. I am not saying that Iran could not remove the regime that is Israel from the face of history with conventional missiles, some blueprints and some low-enriched uranium. But, the thought wouldn?t cause me to attack them unnecessarily.

Somebody tell her. Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bush, Livni, Lieberman, Sarkozy etc. can bang the war drums all they like, nobody's coming. The people of the US, the UK, Europe etc. were dead set against a war on Iran before, and now the new US intelligence assessment has given them the courage to tell warmongering little politicans where to go. Give it up Livni and start looking for a new job. I hear there are some openings in the quarterpounder section at MacDs.

"You have a lot of hate Clickfool" You're right, David. I LOATHE the State of Israel for its appalling cruelty towards the Palestinian people. I have nothing but contempt for their lying and stealing and unending catalogue of crimes. If the State of Israel disappeared tomorrow, no-one would miss it for a microsecond.

"The one statement I did not see was that every land ever taken by Muslim belongs to Muslims forever, which is what Hamas is claiming." I suggest your read some statements made during Al Quds day- amongst others. I don't know what you have read, but anyone who thinks that the Mullah ruling class is not motivated by religious imperatives, in addition to other motivations, doesn't understand Iran. "The conflict with the Palestinians is viewed by the Iranian regime through a post-colonial" lens. It isn't not an either or proposition. It is both post colonial and religious." Your analysis is too simplistic - I suggest you do some more reading of Iranian statements and ideology. I do think this applies to the ruling religous elite and some of their followers, but not necessarily to the majority of the population.

We cannot know why intelligence was not completely shared before, but it is reported that Israel will present it to Admiral Mullen, this Sunday, when he will pay a one day visit to Israel. There is no doubt that Iran did have a nuclear weapons program, and it is in the position to restart such a program at any time. Nor has Iran stopped its uranium enrichment, as required by SCR's, or the construction of its heavy water facility, which is also a problem area. The question always has been what to do about this. There have never been any good solutions.

"Clickfool, thank you for your tactical advise. I cannot understand how is it that Israel was able to win in the win so many wars, to destroy Saddam`s nuclear reactor, and Syria`s nuclear facility, without your advice and guidance." The Israelis whacked Saddam's Osirak reactor because he was dumb enough to build it above ground and without massive reinforcements. You think the Iranians haven't learnt this lesson? As for Syria, all we know is that the Israelis whacked a rectangular building. This bombing raid is now being built up by ((coughs)) and ((whispers)) and conjecture and total official silence into anything you care to imagine. I can see you like to imagine it was a "nuclear facility", Dan.

That's the reality. America stood toe to toe with Iran, and decided to back down. The intelligence assessment is just their way of "declaring victory and leaving the battlefield". But the problem won't go away as easily as the Americans.

The little coward state you speak of defeated seven Arab nations at once. But they probably didnt teach you that in your mosque huh? Iran is economically weak, the people hate the refime and their weapons are old, Russian made pieces of crap. They even have US jets, but no spare parts to fly them with. Pretty scary stuff! Again, your continual defence of terror supporting nations who opress their own people only shows how corrupt and un-educated you are. Thanks!

As the representative of a country that refuses to comply with UNSC resolutions and refuses to sign the NPT, Livni really has no place to complain about Iran.

The NIE report was very timely to give Bush an excuse to leave the whole Iranian mess for Hilary to deal with. Certainly, there is a core element of truth to the NIE, in that the destruction of Sadaam Hussein by US in March of 2003 did lead to a pause in the Iraninan Nuke weapon program later that year. This probably happened for two reasons: (1) it removed any residual fear that Iranian leaders had of facing Sadaam Hussein armed with WMD's, as the US attack not only eliminated Sadaam, but it gave evidence that Iraq did not present a WMD threat to its neighbors, and (2) it made the Iranians realize that Bush was a tougher SOB than Sadaam, and once again, the US was to be taken seriously in the world. The NIE may be already out of date, and Iran has probably restarted its nuke weapon program, but at a slower and more stealthy pace, so the threat is less urgent that it would have been without Bush's bold actions in 2002 and 2003. Good job, George!

I personally think if Sharon was still in charge(with his military bg)2nd Lebanon war would'nt have happened.The border crossings weren't a new thing,the same thing happened in 04 & w/ sharon it ended in prisoner xchange which was the objective of Hezbollah in 2006 as well.But with Olmert it turned out most damaging not only to the lives of the innocent but also to the Israel's(& US) prestige worldwide.Also from the bigger picture perspective out of 193 countries in the world only 4 recognize hezbollah as a terrorist org(US, Israel,Canada & Netherland)& two others only consider its military wing as terrorist, even EU does NOT consider it terrorist.So the rest of the world considers it a legitimate resistance org(resisting Israel).As far as I know,their goal isn't the destruction of Israel(as you implied) but to keep Israel from occupying Lebanon.It is the infamous self-defense argument(no pun)!& history proved that if it weren't for hezbollah Israel would still be occupying Lebanon.

"Ahmad has stated several times in different forums that he seeks to wipe Israel off the map." No, he didn't: http://www.mohammadmossadegh.com/news/rumor-of-the-century/ "The only way that this could be accomplished with the swiftness desired by Ahmad is atomic." Actually the Iranian position is close to the vision of Theodor Herzl, the Zionists founding father: "Herzl envisioned a modern pluralistic society, in which Jews and Arabs had equal rights. A demagogic politician who wanted to form a narrow hyper-nationalist Jewish state, was defeated in elections." http://www.mideastweb.org/zionism.htm

"We already know that iran is sending weapons and people into iraq. These same people are killing civilians and US troops everyday, but that`s ok with you, right?" This is indeed dramatic, if you follow the link, you will learn, that "of around 25,000 suspected militants in US custody in Iraq, 11 were Iranian. " http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2215380,00.html And about the weapons. Can you tell me, why US interrogators in Iraq need special pressure to produce "evidence"? "Brose, 30, who extracts information from detainees in Iraq, said: 'They push a lot for us to establish a link with Iran." http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2209036,00.html

As a political analyst, I am well-informed about the dynamics of the ME region. Hezbollah emerged as an armed organization with up to 5,000 men in its units in 1982 for the defense of the residents of southern Lebanon and to fight against the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories. After the Israelis killed the former leader of Hezbollah Sheikh Abbas Moussawi in 1992 Hassan Nasrallah took charge of the org.Upon his assuming leadership, Hezbollah began to be transformed into a political & social movement with a military wing & today it has 14 representatives in the Lebanese Parliament, as well as two ministerial chairs in the government. Again dont get me wrong,I wasn't happy seeing Nassrallah handing out crisp $ bills after the war(that money was the bread taken away from Iranian plates). But if you look at the bigger picture you'll see that our(yes yours & mine)taxpayer money provided all the Israeli weaponry that chopped up Lebanese civilians a yr & half ago.

THIS IS NOT THE USUAL DANNY. THIS IS NOT MY POSTING. DANNY.

Ravi, I have read some speeches of Iranian leaders. The complaint against Israel was that the Jews were planted in Palestine by colonial powers, and for colonial needs. They also complain about the treatment of Palestinians by Israel. The one statement I did not see was that every land ever taken by Muslim belongs to Muslims forever, which is what Hamas is claiming. It is clear that not all Muslims believe in the Hamas thesis, which seems to be self-serving. How many Arab countries claim that Spain should become Muslim? I assume that the Iranians also do not follow that principle, in which case there is no religious duty here. The conflict with the Palestinians is viewed by the Iranian regime through a post-colonial lens, which is why they started their carreer by displaying such enmity towards the US. But this will change over time.

You simpleton, our attack on Iraq was a stupid decision done by a stupid administration, and about Iran sending wepons to Iraq; let's assume our neighbor Mexico was attacked and occupied by Russia, do you think the US would sit and do nothing? Are you trying to hide the fact that Hammas and Hizbullah are products of Israel's occupation of Arab lands?

israel not ruling out a strike? haha... israel is the most coward illegitimate state in the history...would be wiped off the map by iran in hours!

Israel wants nothing to do with Iran's estruction. That was one of the dumbest things I have heard to date. Israel wants security. It was attacked by Hezballah, Iran's proxy groupp last year and there are fears that Hezballah can acquire nukes if Iran has them. Simple isn't it? As for Russia and China...it is in theior best interest to keep the US happy. We have seen this in the cold war etc. The US only does what is good for the US. Israel is an ally, but this idea of the US fighting Isral's wars is just plain stupid!!!

US intelligence is infallible. (When they say what fits our political agenda. He and Bush have a lot in common)

"I will add here that Iran`s enmity is not inherent, but is the result of the Palestinian problem. (Israel had good relations with the Shah.)" A large part of it is a result of the Palestinian problem, but the Shah is long gone. Iran has a theocracy now, and even if the Palestinian problem is solved, there is still a good probability that the Iranian regime will have, as goal of their foreign policy, and religious duty, the eradication of Israel. If the theocracy is overthrown, then yes, a case can be made that Iran and Israel are not natural enemies.

It appears that a major reason that Iran may have been pursuing nuclear weapons in the past is the proliferation in states who have achieved the capability to produce nuclear weapons in Iran's part of the world. Iran must be reassured that any state using nuclear weapons against her will be subjected to a second strike using nuclear weapons held by members of the United Nations Security Council. This policy can then be rolled out throughout the middle east and the world to help in the bigger picture of halting proliferation and ensuring that country's do not feel threatened by those who already have nuclear weapons. In return for this Iran must officially recognise Israel's right to exist. This is not as far fetched as it appears. Both Russia and China are nuclear powers and both are close trading partners of Iran. It merely ensures Mutually Assured Destruction by nations who have lived under that particular cloud for years. Just a thought

If Israel has such clear and convincing evidence that Iran is still pursuing a bomb, why was it not shared with the US intelligence community? If the evidence is really clear and convincing, the NIE would certainly have read differently. If you want to put US troops and airmen and ships at risk, it's only fair to share the reasons why. Why won't Israel share?

1. Bush the Incompetent has a problem. How can you accept news that Iran is probably not pursuing nuclear weapons, when his policy is based on the assumption that they do? Admitting the policy was wrong is impossible because Bush never admits mistakes. (His Father in Heaven would never lie to him.) Bush copes with this reversal by pursuing the same policy while changing the reason for it: The Iraninas might decide to restart their WMD program. Question: If they do decide to restart, how would stopping the enrichment work in Natanz and starting it in a secret location help? 2. Olmert used the Iran scare to keep the public in toe and give a reason for Lieberman to stay in the coalition. (Lieberman is the Minister for Strategic Threats, i.e., the Iran threat.) The IDF was preparing for attacking Iran. Israel copes by claiming that the Iranians probably restarted the weapons program. There is a problem here, because the Israeli information was probably shared with the US, which must have judged it to be unconvincing. What do you do? Say that the Americans are "on the other side of the world", so what can they possibly know. 3. Rightwingers and other paranoids need enemies to justify mindless policies. Netanyahu runs around the world trying to convince nations of the Iran danger, and judged by the Israeli public as the leader most capable of dealing with the Iran issue. For the right-wing, such good news are devastating. They cope by changing the metric of danger. Israel should accept that Iran stopped its program only if it comes with a much higher probability; "The 10 percentage points that provides the American with a reason to relax will look like an insufferable risk to the Israeli."

To reassure Israel and show it is serious about ensuring that Iran does not achieve parity with Israel in terms of having nuclear weapons. To reassure Iran that it will be allowed to have a civilian nuclear power programme under the terms of the NPT. Last year the world community offered to enrich Iran's uranium on its behalf in Russia under the auspices of the UN. This offer was clouded by claims that Iran was actively pursuing nuclear weapons, and hence Russian delays in delivering enriched uranium. Iran should receive this uranium and a dialogue should be opened to renew the offer to enrich uranium in Russia in return for Iran verifiably halting enrichment. If iran agrees to this the carrot will be a non aggression treaty signed by all the major protaganists, and normalisation of trade. Israel will have the halting of Irans enrichment programme and the international community's assurance that Iran will not be allowed to enrich Uranium.

I agree with most of what you say, but ask yourself these two questions. 1. WHo funds and trains Hezballah? 2. What is Hezballah's main goal? Then talk to us!

I cannot tell you how tiring it is to hear the crap "Iran wants to wipe Israel off the map". That is a big LIE. This lie is manufactured to scareoff gullible people(no pun!). Goebbels said that "If the lie is big enough and told often enough, it will be believed." Dont get me wrong the mullahs are evil but the only recipient of their ruthlessness is the Iranian people. How on Earth you people advocate for Israel to take action on Iran buggles my mind. I firmly believe that true friends of Israel would NOT stand for such a catastrophy. The time has come to let go of the hyped-up big bully talk. While effective in high school, bullying does not produce desired results past high school years.

"The clever, decent Israelis go into science and medicine. The thickos, the bent and the nutters go into politics and the military." -But why only the Israelis? Doesn't this happen in ANY country?

It seems that the West and Israel refuse to accept good news. Of course, one can rule out any new decision by the Security Council to impose new sanctions; it will be vetoed by Russia and China. Israel can either keep complaining or start thinking. The world is advancing technologically, oil is running out, and many Arab states will soon be operating nuclear facilities. For Israel, the world will become more dangerous if the Palestinian problem will continue to fester and if the borders question will not be settled with the northern neighbors. Fear of Iran will not be the exception but the rule. I will add here that Iran`s enmity is not inherent, but is the result of the Palestinian problem. (Israel had good relations with the Shah.) Attacking Iran will create a justified national enemy, and for a long time to come. The answer to this situation is to start settling the outstanding problems that inflame the neighbors against Israel. And do a deal that the nations on both sides of the border could be happy with. Getting a great deal with Abbas because he is weak, but creating a sense among Palestinians of being cheated, is not a great idea. When all the peace deals are done, also have a second strike (submarine) capability as insurance. Too bad one needs insurance, but life is uncertain.

Livni, don't talk about NPT. Israel is a rogue state and everyone knows that.

Ahmad has stated several times in different forums that he seeks to wipe Israel off the map. The only way that this could be accomplished with the swiftness desired by Ahmad is atomic. Whether this attests to a weird sense of humor, or whether Ahmad is dead-serious, only the devil or the Almighty can tell. As long as this situation persists, Vilnai is right on focus, and should not be villified.

"When Dimona has been rendered a smouldering radioactive ruin by long-range Iranian missiles, and the wind is blowing towards Tel Aviv, don`t expect a scrap of sympathy from anyone." You're too kind. Do you know anyone in Tel Aviv? I', pretty sure I'd be capable of a "scrap of sympathy" for Tehran or any other city should it be destroyed. In any event, I'm glad you and so many others have so much faith in U.S. intelligence. Perhaps your country will send back some more soldiers to Iraq so we can continue searching for WMD's?

you keep saying the same thing about Iran..."they never attacked another country". What you fail to mention is that iran is run by religious fanatics who sponsor and support terror groups like hamas and hezballah. This is an important fact, don't you think? Your ignorance of this issue and your refusal to accept that facts is mind boggling. We already know that iran is sending weapons and people into iraq. These same people are killing civilians and US troops everyday, but that's ok with you, right? The hyposcricy from your side is ridiculous!!!

The US is in a face saving state and Israel is desperate seeking for the destruction of Iran. It is strange for the US to fight for Israel at the expense of their own demise as the only super power. War will be good for Russia. Energy Prices will sky rocket making Russia the wealthiest nation on earth and the new only Super Power. The Russians need only prolong the war by arming Iran continuously and heavily. Iran will never stop once the war is started. War will not happen. Not only the Dimona reactors, but all civilian and military Israeli installations are in Iranian, Syrian and Hizbullah range. It is going to be a mess in the whole Middle East leading to a new world order. A world with Russia and China at the front seat.

Livni has the audacity to say that Iran has "extreme religious ideology". The numerous Zionist posts lead some people to believe that Israel has an extreme religious ideology. And now Olmert wants the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a "Jewish State". This is truly the smoke calling the kettle black.

Be serious, half the truth is as bad as distorting the truth. And please don't start with the ridiculous story about the Jews controlling the world (lobby). So, para che, dejate de boludeses, y anda a trabajar para mejorar la economia portenia.

The Israelis cannot stand the fact that people consider them illegitimate in the region, because they are, the Jews who lived in Palestine are long gone, dead or assimilated. Today, you have a pathetic shadow of what the jews of Palestine were. Which in reality, were always pretty primitive (culturally, scientifically, etc) compared to Rome, Greece or Mesopotamia.

The american inteligency and the AIEA (UN) say that the Iran's nuclear program stop pursuing nuclear weapons, but Israel and Bush say the contrary. Oh my God, in which part I should believe?

... don`t expect a scrap of sympathy from anyone." I'll symapthize. The Israeli's have a right to respond to a threat to their existence. You only care about the cost to fill your car and heat your home. I don't blame you - that's natural, but don't try to con us that you are driven by some moral calculation or concerns.

Waiiit wait wait wait.. Livini i complaining about iran being in violation of the NPT? Typical israeli comedy from the middle easts only nuclear power (for now). But then again i forgot, other countries cant have nuclear power because they are "dangerous" and support "terrorism". Nuclear weapons must be in the hands of nations that dont terrorise. like israel ! and nuclear weapons cant be in the hands of countries that want to wipe other countries from the map. They must be in the hands of countries that PHYSICALLY DO WIPE other countries from that map and from history books and from existance. Hamas might not be able to overpower you (for now). and Abas might be israel's rent boy dressed as a president. But, make no mistake. hezbollah will take care of you.

Russia will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons! The US and EU know it!!! So why and what is the EU and US justifications for sanctions? The US and EU want to squeeze Iran and force a western leaning regime change. The only justification for that is a potential nuclear Iran. The Russians do not want a regime change(as much as they hate the Mullahs), and therefore oppose sanctions in order to maintain their influence over Iran, keep the oil prices from falling and have leverage over Europe.

Not only seeks, but already got hundreds of them. Otherwise, how could it continue its bellicose attitudes regarding its neighbours? For instance, how could it commit the heinous war crimes against Lebanon last year with absolute impunity without the due "deterrence"? And how can it go on with its racist, illegal and immoral occupation of Palestinian land with complete impunity? Nuclear weapons to threaten the Arabs and the lobby to control the Americans, that's Israel's modus operandi. What a light unto the nations! And what a chutzpah to talk about Iran!

Clickfool, thank you for your tactical advise. I cannot understand how is it that Israel was able to win in the win so many wars, to destroy Saddam's nuclear reactor, and Syria's nuclear facility, without your advice and guidance.

Unless another smoking laptop is provided by Mossad, there is not a cat in hell chance of UN sanctions against Iran. Neither is Livni going to persuade NATO to become a coalition of the willing and attack Iran. The Jig is up, Israel needs to ensure that the German freebies (sorry Submarines) are equipped to be able to deliver a viable second nuclear strike. The military option is so off the table it is not even in the same room. I suggest Channel 2 shows Dr Strangeglove as a way of showing what Israeli life is now going to be. Unless of course Peres calls for all Jews to pray for Israel on the sabbath of Independence day in May gives a clue to what is been planned by israel. Which means I is going to have a really really good Christmas and buy a great big petrol tank for the back garden.

... because the neocons told us so: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Evil Since they are obviously evil, we can't trust them. They must also be "mad", because we always hear about "mad mullahs". Since they are mad and evil it's only logical to assume, that they want to kill us all and we all know, that nukes are dangerous, even if they don't have them. They might get them in the future. They also don't seem to like us. They make speeches, which can be mistranslated into something, that sounds like a threat. This is unfair and evil, because we are always the good guys. It prooves, that they are evil, because it's the evil people, who don't like the good guys.

You spoke in your message of the two small sismic tremor that had shaken Israel last week without causing any damages or victims as a sign of God ? So In your opinion what how should we understand the powerfull earthquake of Bam in Iran in 2001 killing thousands and destroying complete cities ? How does we have to understand the 2005 Tsunami who killed 250 000 people (mostly muslims in Indonesia, southern Thailand etc..) The message seems quite confusing isn't ?

Israels WMD's must be removed before anything else.

The amaricans will never attack another moslem country again after the arse kicking they are getting in iraq. They have politly excused them selves from any evnture involving attacking iran with that released report. After Bush was conned about the oil riches to be rept from an attack on iraq by the zionists, the americans sure have had their butts kicked with no end in site. Only iran can save them. What a turn of events.

The hypocritical United States is silent about Israel's nuclear arsonel, which is probably the main reason why Iran decided to develop a nuclear program of its own. If Israel think they must have nuclear wepons to protect themselves, Iran is well within their rights to feel the same way, they are no different from us. Fact of the matter is, the US and Israel are becoming increasingly envious of Iran's oil wealth and its rapid advancements in wepons technology, and would do anything to stop it. They held those same feelings towards Iraq's Sadam Housein and we see the results of that. Unlike Israel and the US, Iran has no history of attacking other countries, so why can't we just leave them alone?

Iran represents radical Islam's war on the west. We do not care how they live, but they do not want us to live in freedom. Israel and the US are in the forefront of the battle against radical islam and terror. If there was a god, he would probably punish muslims for killing other muslims as well as jews, christians etc...don't you think? Here is the latest hedline from iraq, just for you to ponder: "BAGHDAD ? A female homicide bomber detonated an explosives belt Friday outside the offices of a local anti-Al Qaeda group that has joined forces with the U.S., killing at least 15 people, police officials said. It was Iraq's second homicide attack involving a woman in less than two weeks." Now tell me. which culture has to look in the mirror?

A good lawyer, not to be confused with any attorney, should be able to straighten this out. Rice is a member of the Girl Gang whose purpose is to get the Democrat Clinton elected--so much for loyalty to those who got her there.

I m glad to see a smart people over here to understand that your IDF is very paranoid and Iran isnt a threat to anyone but the threat came from you ... I see that your country had a great chance to have peace with palestinian and to be part of the khaliji convention with iran and all arab country and that will improve your economy instead of improving your weapons and your intentions of war toward your neighbors I see that USA is pulling your legs even if your pretend that you are the one who wants this war not USA .. That is not true .. USA is the one who is after Iran no matter how hard they try to make it as France and Israel are the one who is after Iran Leave us pray in our mosque and you pray in your wall .. Stop transgression against muslims . The last 4 earthquake was a warning for what you plan against our mosque ... and You may have more warnings inshallah if you dont wake up .

"Why are Israeli defense officials so stupid?" I think we agreed this a little while back, Danny. The clever, decent Israelis go into science and medicine. The thickos, the bent and the nutters go into politics and the military.

America's intelligence community failed to anticipate India's nuclear weapons programme, or Pakistan's programme or North Korea's programme. On the other hand, they told us that Iraq was armed up to the teeth with WMD. They have zero credibility, so why is anyone taking their latest assessment seriously? Question: Why would Iran be happy for Israel to be the only nation in the Middle East to have nuclear weapons?

Iran has the missiles for a nuclear bomb. They were caught with the blueprints for a nuclear bomb. And now they're working at a frenzied pace to complete the last component of a nuclear bomb - the highly enriched uranium. Their intentions are as clear as day - to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. As they've been chanting for decades "Death to Israel! Death to America!" Will an attack on Iran be messy and complicated? Of course. Will an Iranian attack on Israel, at a time of their choosing and once they have an atomic arsenal, be much worse? No doubt it will. In fact, Israel's tiny existence would be forever destroyed.

sounding off!While one cannot underestimate the blood lust of the madman in the white houes&allies in israel,all this is just talk.There is no way Russia&China will ever impose new sanctions on Iran.And the NAM(Non Aligned Movement)of 180 countries have endorsed Iran's nuclear policy.

"A senior defense official suggested Friday that Israel would still consider a military strike against Iran to stop what it believes is a nuclear arms program despite a U.S. intelligence assessment this week that the Islamic regime abandoned the atomic project in 2003." When Dimona has been rendered a smouldering radioactive ruin by long-range Iranian missiles, and the wind is blowing towards Tel Aviv, don't expect a scrap of sympathy from anyone. By the way, which country are you planning that your bombers will overfly - Turkey, Saudi Arabia or Iraq? If Iraq, don't forget to ask the Americans for the correct transponder codes or you may find your planes being shot out of the sky by USAF fighters.

It seems like, for the last few years at least, the most striking characteristic of "Israeli defense officials" is their marked stupidity. Why can't the Israelis produce a couple of smart people to head their defense apparatus? Maybe it's because they're actually not as smart as they think they are?

idiot. Now it changed.

Wouldn't an attack illicit a response of endless missiles being fired at Dimona - perhaps causing a 'Chernobyl' style disaster in tiny little Israel?

And the respond will be much bigger then just against the Nuclear sites. Israel respond will have to compensate for the missing help from the U.S. This can result in a real 3rd world war.

So it seems, is it a politial ploy? Is it a decoy to get the fiddlers," guard down". I doubt the latter, as its not necessary to worry about whether the fiddlers are prepared for a pre emptive attack or not.The U.S. or its allies (Israel) are in a position too attack Iran, at their own moment of choosing. However the human cost vis a vis human collateral would be considered a monstrous act of genocide, especially after the famous intelligence report.This operation will not happen under Pre. Bush·s watch. Israel will have to go it alone, only if Iran becomes a real threat! So its," one on one", dudes! The fiddlers have prevailed,lets be patient.

Irsael should better care about its own nuclear facilities.

To # 1 Tell me are the present day "rulers" of Israel today stupid or what? Why announce what you are going to do?(this is not a talkback session) Babbling all the time what you are going to do, means you're NOT going to do anything,except,perhaps,play pocket billiards!