In the role of the rottweiler

By the way Gilles. I'm an American (Italian/Latin) that lived in Lyon. J'adore Lyon! Ciao...Michael ;)

Very well stated Gilles. I can only fully agree with your statement. Israel has never used it's "nuclear" arsenal as a way to "bully" anyone in the middle east. And any perception of "bullying" is only due to when it's very existence is threatned. When has the Israeli military every had demonstrations in the street showing off their military hardware with signs posted "Death to Iran" or any other nation? NEVER! I don't totally agree with everything Sharon does or with Israeli foreign policy. But it's ridiculous to vilify Israel.

The US owns Israel. You get $6 billion a year so start showing you earn it.

In the end there probably no solution to this problem.Iran has a very complex political situation and it is possible that the mullahs will overplay their hand and cause a reaction.For all practical purposes the present cadre of reformers have exhausted their support because they have been unable to cope with the oligarchial powers of the Supreme Council.They have not delivered and there seems to be no internal political solution. However all of that is superfluos to the Nuclear question because all Iranian factions agree on the need to acquire the Bomb.It does not take more than a cursory glance at the map to see how the Iranians might feel threatened by their neighbours and the American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.In fact it is reasonable for them to question whether or not George W Bush isn't capable of another historic blunder. As for militairy options that could do little more than delay the Iranians.In fact it would probably strengthen the mullahs and their allies by unifying the country against the Zionist entity and the American Imperialists. In fact the militairy option seems to have no hope of doing more than delaying the Iranians.The only real hope of success is to somehow help those who want to replace the mullahs.That would not produce a government that didn't desire nuclear weapons,but it would almost certainly produce a government less likely to see a nuclear weapon as something of practical value.

"Remember that these were the people who sent waves of children to de-mine in front of their troops in an 8 year war with Sadam." Remember the childrens crusades that were sent to liberate the holy land in which people were up to thier knees in blood

If the Iranians are such an insignificant factor in the middle east why is Isreal so adimant in disarming their nuclear arsenal?

Ash, You refer to the palestinians as if they exist as a sepparate people. They are not decendents of the ancient Philistines, they are simply Arabs who originate from Arabia as do all Arabs... and "Palestine" is the name the defunct Roman empire used to rename conquered Israel until it was liberated in 1948. :)

The Iranians aren't really a problem since they are ruled by Koran rattling mullahs. Remember that these were the people who sent waves of children to de-mine in front of their troops in an 8 year war with Sadam.

it's very doubtful that israel has the military capability to take out iran's nuclear program. it's not iraq circa 1982. the spread their facilities all over the country, dug deap underground. it's unlikely thata even bunker busting bombs would damage those facilities. bunker busting bombs are also very heavy and would probably requie the israeli fighter jets to have to refuel in the air, a very difficult task. an israeli attack which would not eliminate iran's nuclear power, will invite counter attacks that would probably be in the form of vicious terror attacks.if israel reaaches a pece deal with tehpalestinians based on a palestinian state in the territories occupied in 67, iran will not be a military treat to israel anymore.

"Self-destruction has never kept religious zealots from launching attacks against those they perceive as their enemies. Suicide bombers are the best example of this." Suicide bombers are the best example that leaders use them as the rank-and-file, or the cannon fodder for their quest, but that they, the leaders, never desire to sacrifice themselves in the fight. You still have no answer to my question: How does nuclear blackmail work?

Some people Ash cant see the forest for the trees and others cant see the trees for the forest Its all according if you see the big or small picture. Maybe people outside Israel can see a much bigger scope Maybe people not brainwashed in such a narrow view can also see a bigger scope. Conversely its true too. Maybe reality lies somewhere between the two. I myself like to feel there are things I dont know. You go on about that Yaacov left Israel and what voice does he have now? But when anyone stands up and says anything negative about Israel they are branded Anti semitic no matter if they are just bystanders etc and giving their point of view. If Israel is a democracy,then it should welcome these comments.

The notion of mutual nuclear deterrence can certainly be defended, the best example being the Cold War during which no nuclear weapons were used (although things became pretty tense on a few occasions). However, I wonder just how true this logic is when we are dealing with non-democratic, repressive regimes who use religion in order to formulate policy. Self-destruction has never kept religious zealots from launching attacks against those they perceive as their enemies. Suicide bombers are the best example of this. Do you really think Israel should just sit by and hope that the Iranian mullahs will not extend such an attitude to their use of a nuclear bomb?

"why did the palestinians not rise up against the jordanians or egyptians, or the british or the ottomans. that excuse is as tired as it is untrue." ash - FYI: The Palestinians DID rise up against the tyranny of the British, the Ottomans, the Jordanains and the Israeli's. The Egyptians occupied the Gaza Strip which was - at the time - simply a few villages with quite a small population. The population size in Gaza sky-rocketed when Palestinains sought refuge from Israel's tyranny. Today, 80 percent of Gaza resident are refugees and their descendants. Does that answer your question?

You mean you have more serious postings than #2 above infering "Israelis an insult to the Rotti"!!

gas masks are useless against a nuclear attack. actually, nothing can save you once you are close enough to an area that was the hit with nuclear weapons. the point is to prevent a nuclear attack. if israel maintains its nuclear arsenal, and i'm not sure whether it's a good or bad idea, iran will develope nuclear weapons and even the us wouldn't be able to stop it. iran is awash with money as a result of the super-high oil prices and unlikke iraq, is too powerful to be invaded. the us doesn't have the military capability and menpower, because it's bogged down in iraq to invade iran and occupy it. it doesn't have the financial resources, because of bush's massive deficits and it doesn't have the stomach for the huge casualties its military would suffer in a potential invasion of iran-it will never happen. to prevent any possibility of an israeli/iranian nuclear exchange which would destroy both countries, israel needs to terminate once and for all its conflict with the palestinians which will deny iran of an excuse to attack israel and the 1st step should be by getting rid of the cursed occupation and settlements.

i can't tell if you support Israel or resent Israel? sarcasm won't help anybody deal with the real threat Iran poses. you might be sitting comfortably here in the states or over in europe, but you are seemingly still asleep, hopefully it won't be an Iranian nuke going off in your backyard that will force you to take this issue seriously.

you constantly look backward as an excuse not to deal with the present. iran may not care for the palestinians, but it uses their plight as an excuse to exert it's influence, feeling that they are a regional power. if the israel and teh palestinians reached an agreement, iran would run out of any pretense to be involved in the palestinian-israeli conflict. the settlemnts are the main single factor keeping that conflict from being settled, therefore allowing iran which is on the verge of becoming a nuclear power the pretense it needs to be involved. nothing is more important than thinking strategically, not tactically or emotionally. the settlements are useless and nothing but an emotional, religious and stratigically meaningless matter. they keep the palestinian radicals in business as well as iran's regional bad intensions. it is the most self-destructive issue for israel and it's amazing to see people like you insisting on keeping it and continue to damage israel on all fronts.

Honestly, the fact that Israel is turning more and more toward the UN and the "international community" sickens me. Since when has what foreign governments had an impact on the workings of national security in Israel? The UN is nothing more than a corrupt bureaucracy run by third-world anti-Semetic dictatorships. Men achem Begin, who is my favorite Israeli Prime Minister once said, "Israel will not transfer Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza District to any foreign sovereign authority, [because] of the historic right of our nation to this land, [and] the needs of our national security, which demand a capability to defend our State and the lives of our citizens." Sharon needs to wake up and realize that in almost all cases what the "international community" wants is NOT in Israel's national interest. I can only hope that Sharon either wakes up from the fantasy world he is living in and realizes that what he's doing (kowtowing to the "international community" and evacuating the settlers) is foolish. If he doesn't see the errors of his ways, I sincerely hope that someone with a backbone and common sense will replace him.

so many inaccuracies so little time. the fact that people have been told to hang on to their gas mak is because of the iranian threat. you seem to be knowledgeable about a country you ran away from 20 years ago....oh im sorry you do read newspapers so you must know more about what goes on in israel then people who live here. can you tell me what i had for breakfast?

"beyond the danger of a nuclear attack, nuclear blackmail (change this policy, evacuate these cities, or dissolve altogether) would likely be the scenario Israel would face with an Iranian nuke." Could you please explain how 'nuclear blackmail' works? Assuming the blackmailer says -evacuate these cities- and I don't, what will the blackmailer do? Launch the missiles and duck when my own missiles come flying? Very bad business for the blackmailer. Seems those nukes are ill-suited for blackmail.

it is so amazing that people think that if the occupation went away then the whole world would love us. iran is not the benefactor of the palestinians and being a shiite nation really at essence couldnt give a damn about the palestinians. iran cant even bear to call israel by its name. if it is all because of the occupation then why did six nations attack israel on its inception and then again in 1967, why was the PLO formed before 1967 and any occupation? why did the palestinians not rise up against the jordanians or egyptians, or the british or the ottomans. that excuse is as tired as it is untrue. if you still believe its true then answer the above.

Anti-zionist jokes can sometimes get by the censors but unfortunately, depending I suppose on who is on duty on the website, they usually don't allow my more serious postings, especially if the IDF (or IOF) is mentioned. In the absence of specific forum guidelines, one has to assume from experience that criticism of Israel's famed citizen army is beyond the pale for the purposes of this forum, presumably because the monitors themselves are shortly going on miluim (reserve duties) or have just returned from them and these indoctrinated souls over-identify with their comrades ('my army, right or wrong').

Israel will not be used as the rottweiler, America is closer to Iran and should do the dirty deed themselves. Either way a retalliation is certain and guaranteed against Israel regardless of who initiates the attack on Iran. So why should Israel stick its' neck out when it's the whole world especially the western nations that are at most risk from a nuclear Iran. If, and only if negotiations fail and America still refuses to do it themselves because they prefer an Israeli operation in order to distance themselves from direct involvement, will Israel have no other choice but to attack.

Israel is wise in allowing George Bush's policies to permeate the Middle East. The more US bases in the region, the more likely Israel will prosper.

My goodness, ash, melanie and alex and, ... I thought the gas masks came out in response to the imaginary threat from Iraq? Iraq, Ash, you know the middle east country with the nuclear stockpile and biological weapons. I think Iraq used what lethal weapons on the Iranians, Ash, not the Jews. And I don't think Iran has attacked Israel although they certainly don't subscribe to zionism. Still about, what, 25,000 or 30,000 Jews in Iran with a representative in parliament? Do you think Iran feels a threat from Israel? How do you think they felt with big gun Cheney coming out publically and declaring that if the Persian didnt cease nuclear technology, the old ally Israel would blast them off the face of the earth. Real endearing, isnt it Ash. Do you think Iran would be justified to initiate a preemptive attack and bomb the reactor in Dimona to prevent Israel from wiping out Teheran. Those mullahs in Teheran should pass a fatwa, I think, permitting the relgious to shave off their beards so they can donn their gas masks

and the settlement policiy of the israeli right wing government makes a WMD attack on israel more and more plausible. if israel had a peace agreement with the palestinians based on a return to the 67 border, prehaps with minor border corrections, iran wouldn't have an excuse to be the palestinians protector and benefector, and there would be no reason for a palestinian terrorist to use chemical or biolgical weapons against israel. the settlement policies perpetuate the state of war and make a WMD attack all but inevitable.

How completely disengenuous of Basil to state that Iran would never attack Israel with nuclear weapons because of Islam's third holiest shrine, the al-Aksa mosque in Jerusalem. A nuclear strike on Israel's coastal plain (where "only" 80% of all Israelis live and work) would cause utter devastation without so much as chipping a dome tile on al-Aksa or the Dome of the Rock. What Basil knows very well is that, beyond the danger of a nuclear attack, nuclear blackmail (change this policy, evacuate these cities, or dissolve altogether) would likely be the scenario Israel would face with an Iranian nuke. Regarding the US's use of the bomb at the end of World War II, without passing judgment on whether it was morally right or not, the US believed that such an extreme measure would bring an end to a war that would otherwise continue to take a terrible toll in human lives. Iran's beef with Israel is its very existence. Unless we move beyond simplistic analyses, we will never understand how to bring peace to the region.

you obviously did not read the good yaakovs first posting. the fact is iran has threatened israel many times. so im sorry if me, my family, mcountry being blown to bits makes me tetchy i do so apologise to those in argentina who found my being concerned at being blown up too much for them to swallow with their midday meal. i do apologise but jews being killed has rarely created so much of a batted eyelid in the past and i wouldnt want it to do so this time. and if you dont think it is a serious threat i will tell you that every building in israel has to have a sealed off room in case of gas attack and every family a gas mask, kids as young as three have to know why sometimes they have to carry a box twice as big as themselves to school because some crazed men in another country might want to kill them. that is the reality of what we live through here sorry if it offends you in argentina.

iran has plenty of natural resources that could be used instead of nuclear power. wev'e heard that excuse but a cursory look at that nation's natural resources would tell us otherwise. the fact is that israel is a democracy and as such is accountable to its public. the mullahs in iran are accountable to no-one but allah.

-"but know that I hope for a greater Israel--not just the little part that you`ll have, but what G-d have given you"- Would you grant the people living there equal rights or would you transfere them?

from teh sound of ti, the only diffenec between Sharone and a spoiled brat is that instead of crying and whining Sharone,threatens to blow upcountires and is willing to take hundreds of innocent lives if his wishes are not carried out. Iran is currently the largest threat to Israel militarily due to their nuclear arsenal which perhaps why Sharone is willing to take extreme measures. what about Isreali's nuclaer arsenal and their contiuous resaerch and expantion of their weaponary. Does anyone find that this is a threat to the world. is Israel going to try to blow up any country that advances farther then and fater then them? Perhaps Sharone is piling more on his plate then Israel can handle.

As an American, I'm ashamed that we haven't stood firmer- but know that I hope for a greater Israel--not just the little part that you'll have, but what G-d have given you. Also, it is proper that you try everything to offer an olive branch to those that oppose you--not in weakness but in strength. May G-d bless you in all that you need and do!

All societies and human beings are capable of either peace or violence. They are RESPONsible for what occurs. The concept that violence is the only way to deal with another because so-and-so is of that ethnicity and faith is a way to rationalize conflict. But with a paradigm shift, certain political decisions, and cultural exchange things that gun cannot solve can be solved....

What is paramount is a stable world order, a respect for sovereignty, human rights, and the Geneva Convention on prisoners, borders, and the like. Changing the U.N. to make it in-line with US, Israeli, or Arabic views to distort its charter is not healthy. The violations of U.N. resolutions was used an excuse to invade Iraq which if it had WMD would have had at best meagre stockpiles. So the UN charter was violated in the name of supporting the UN. That is similar to committing atrocities in the name of defending yourself as a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. No difference. It is to justify the immoral by saying you are fighting for the greater good.... What Israel and its neighbors need is a peace agreement that is viable and long-term and addresses security, borders that addresses the religious concerns of both Jews and the Arabs, water resources, settlements etc.... If this is not done in a satisfactory manner, then you have continuous problems. Syria bought missiles. However, Syria has not been known to attack Israel since 1973. The missiles could be used supposedly if the Israeli Air Force enters into Syrian air space over the presidential palaces and the like which they have done in the past. But as far as using them to strike Israel, that would be suicidal for Syria. It is not like the Soviets equipped them with the their latest MIGs, tanks, submarines etc.... Syria by itself is no real military threat to Israel. As far as Hezbollah, they won't disarm so long as the Palestinians and Israelis do not come to some kind of agreement. At least, that is my feeling on that.... I do not think that the Likud government will come to an agreement with the Palestinians. They want the immediate disarmament of Hamas before doing anything which was not mentioned in the Egyptian conference. I can understand this being a necessary element for peace, but without a political deal in sight or final status conditions, they won't disarm and the Israeli government knows that and then it will be stated the Palestinians and don't want peace and then more settlements will be built in justification of that statement... The basic old cycle...

The only country in the world that has used a nuclear weapon is the United States and it is no theocracy. Certainly, the Soviets and the US have not used it and neither has Pakistan, France, Israel or other countries used it. Iran may be a fundamentalist state but it is also conservative in terms of the moves it takes. Also using a nuclear device on Israel would lead to the destruction of the third holiest Islamic site - the Aqsa mosque. They would use it if they were attacked. Iran has never attacked any country. In fact, it was invaded by a former U.S. ally Iraq... So there is nothing that suggests they would use such a weapon....

Haven't it accured to you that the US will not attack Iran and that the recent go ahead of Daisy cutters sales to the IAF is so that Israel will have no way of claiming that they aren't armed for the task? Iran will retaliate, if attacked, so I agree with you that Israel would be wise not to attack Iran. After the attak on Saddams nulear power plant the iranians put their nulear program deep deep into the mountains....where is another riddle.

Yaakov,yes I sent back a response about Tikkun. I really feel that many religious people are big on ritual (in giving too) but low on feelings,big on bricks but low on relationships,big on image but low on assessing the good and the bad. That was the essence of what I said My e mail is mytottenham@yahoo.com and hope they publish this one

The truth is that at the end Israel is alone regarding the issue of a nuclear Iran. Only the most naive person can believe that the European Union will stop Iran of getting the nukes. We could not even stop the massacre of the moslems in Bosnia and our silence regarding the carnage that is going on Darfum and Chechenia is digusting for a continent which has committed so may atrocities in our own land and overseas. The way I see it is if the Israelis can destroy and stop Iran of getting nuclear weapons in a efficent and precise way, the free world will be grateful. Of course there will be an outcry at the UN asking for the head of the " Zionist beast" or the " Zionist demon" and we ( Europe) will join them, but this is only to save the apparences, because behind the closed doors will say: Good job Israel! Thanks for doing the dirt job for us! The truth is no matter if the Israel does it or the USA, I am sure the Israelis will be the ones who will pay the price. I am not Jewish, but I do love Israel besides all her problems and defects, I think it is a great country and nation. I will not tell the israelis what to do, since I do not live there (I am not one of those hypocrites who lives in New York and is always screaming at the Israelis that they should be " light unto the Nations". How pathetic and hypocrite!), BUT my prayers go for Israel. I really hope that in this nightmare (Iran with nuclear weapons) Israel will be fine. Claude

Well, I guess thats one way to finally solve the Middle East conflict that has been kept burning for 57 years. Have ole Arik twaddling into the war room and press the button for Bush. Out go the ole Dimona five heading toward teheran, Isfahan, Tabiz and Yazd. What the hell, what's Persia but the land of Haman. Then the mullahs march into their war room and under the portrait of the Grand Ayatollah, they press their buttons and off go their 2 or 3 heading toward Tel Aviv, Haifa and Sharons ranch in the negev. With this pack of religious zealots, uncompromising nationalists and expansionists, we've solved the problem. Blast the middle east off the map. Thanks to Georgie, the duh, me worry man on one side of the pond and His Imperial Fattness on the other. Some future.

Am I the only one tired of hearing the argument being made that Israel's possession of nuclear arms is no less dangerous than Iran's? Or that Iran has as much right as Israel to possess them? When was the last time you heard anyone in Israel with territorial designs on Iran? When was the last time anyone in Israel claimed that Iran - as a country, not only the regime - was an illegitimate entity in the Middle East that had to be destroyed no matter what? For decades, much of the Arab and Muslim world has been calling not for a change of this or that Israeli policy but for its disappearance from the political map of the Middle East. And, for all of Israel's military might, 6 million Israelis against hundreds of millions of Arabs and Moslems is a conflict the horrors of which one could hardly imagine. You then wonder why Israel has concerns about Iran (of all regimes) getting its hands on a doomsday weapon? What am I saying? Nobody could be so stupid as to be surprised by this Israeli stance. The real reason why Israel's worries cause so much feigned indignation in certain circles lies with the underlying motive among those same people: they relish the thought of Israel being threatened in a very real way with destruction and - let's be honest here - probably wouldn't mind having the "privilege" of seeing it happen during their lifetime. But of course, it's so much more fashionable to claim that it's merely a question of evening things out a bit, of not letting the Jews do things that others can't. How poorly you conceal what you're made of. For too long, Jews have learned all too well that counting on others to defend them doesn't work. Israel will not allow any regime - rogue theocracy or any other - to threaten the existence of its citizens (Jews and Arabs alike) and will take the steps needed to ensure its survival. And for those well-intentioned souls who think this is another example of Israel crying foul at every turn, I suggest they relocate to Israel for a little while if and when the mullahs get their hands on nuclear-tipped missiles. It's all too easy to sit back and watch from afar (not unlike the days leading up to the Six-Day War)when an entire country feels threatened with destruction. It's quite different when you have to live it yourself.

A while ago I was deeply troubled by Israel's hesitation in regard to Iran. Now as the whole world focuses on the Iranian nuclear threat, and as it is number one on the US agenda I see a certain wisdom in Israel's actions. Iran is connected with many possible crises , including an energy crisis, the financial crisis and a possible nuclear proliferation crisis. Iran is a problem for the Western world as a whole. It is now developing weapons which will put the US in its range. Therefore Israel may , and I stress may be wise not to be acting now and allowing the US to lead the charge against Iran. Let's hope it is not too late.

You're so angry with Yaakov and you're loosing the core of the discussion, and please, forget your stereotypes just for a second. As far as I can see Yaakov is pointing a very trascendental issue, as the hypotesis of an action against Iran based on wrong analysis of the situation in Middle East. Certainly Iran isn't Irak, and the consequences of a military intervention could be an absolute disaster, Israel included. Don't you see the danger? But the american-israelí stablishment is quite blind and arrogant with all those impressive big weapons and God supporting the good boys side... then, follow this road and tell me later what's up with the zionist dream, because America is quite far away from the battle scenery.

Ronnie: Did you get my posting on tikun and its different interpretations between the liberal and orthodox, between collective and personal?

No, Ash, I am not licking my chops, waiting for Iran to let loose its non-existent arsenal. Just raising the point of double standard. Israel is already a nuclear power but then they are a "safe" nuclear power, right? A majority of the population in Iran is young, living in an age of the internet and satellite dishes next to the ayatollahs. Things are changing in a country of vast wealth and intellectual potential, a country where a growing number of the population wish to be a part of the rest of the world. They should be allowed to do so, and that means developing nuclear power for peaceful means and technological development. Instead, we hear the two rotweilers bearing their fangs and threatening to attack. Use diplomacy, set up safeguards. Iran must make it clear to the international community that threats and punitive actions against it will not be productive. Iran is developing a power resource that other nations have, including Israel. The role of the US and Israel in this must be monitored very closely as well as developments in Iran. Neither of these rotweilers could claim this time around that they were attacking for regime change.

there are some very strange bedfellows in the middle east. the iranian mullahs and the hardcore settlers have the same outlook and medieval thinking. instead of looking at the situation in black and white, which is always wrong, the israelis need to figure out for the dirst time that what they have in common with the reform movement in iran is much greater than the so called jewish connection with the radical settlers and their allies in the israeli political arena. the reformers in places like iran, iraq and the occupied territories will eventually become their allies, while the mullahs, hamas, the settlers and the other fundamental, backward looking groups are their enemies.

I have Iranian friends but they dont seem to care enough to reach out to the west to help them,thinking that yes,the Mullahs are dishonest but so are the Americans (Im talking Americans vis a vis Bush etc)they just go about their lives. I always complain about the silent majorities,and they are one of them.

sounds like you are almost licking your lips in anticipation at the thought of iran letting loose their nuclear arsenal. enough salivating. maybe you hope that finally the zionists and their state will no longer exist, that is one way of solving that troublesome problem of those 'bad' jews in israel giving you 'good' jews a bad name. the other way is by distancing yourself from that zionist regime by defending its enemies and criticizing it at every point. oh wait, been there done that.

The ancient Persians were an intelligent group of people. Their commerce and industry were sought after throughout the region. There are remnants of that civilization still within those people in today's Iran. The world needs those Persians to take back control of the the Iranian future.

The only comment I can make is that the fear of Iran is justified.They are a totalitarian country that has at its head fundamentalist leaders.But I think that the current situation in Iraq is changing the Iranians.Just like the Chinese leaders pursuit of capitalism is drowning the American market with Chinese goods. Eventually China will out-capitalise the US beating them at their own game,so it is with Iran using politik rather than guns to influence the Middle East.Hezbollah and Hamas will become political I feel and the Sunnis of Iraq will be closer to the leadership of Iran,therefore the influence of a political Iran will be huge in the Middle East arena.These are only my feelings and Im sure Yaakov will correct me (i.e. Hamas has nothing to do with Iran and The Sunnis in Iraq and the Iranians are about to destroy one another...)

Mr. Benn says that times have changed and problems such as nuclear weapons in Iran (notice how no one ever, ever, mentions that other "I" nuclear power, Israel)must have an international solution. Bush saw that that solution did not work in Iraq, so why Iran? If the international solution does not work out, oy voy voy, look out! Iran is a lot bigger, stronger and smarter than Iraq, and if attacked it won't be a dictator and his cadre to contend with but an entire nation.

The truth is Israel has become a minuature poodle no longer able to defend itself. The poodles master holds the leash very tight and Israel must surrender and retreat and release terrorists to kill again for it's insane and demented master on the Potomac River. The pitiful minature poodle has had his teeth removed and can only eat soft mush as his cage is reduced in size to undefensable borders. If only Israel was a Rotweiler with teeth, there would be hope for her survival.

Is this your idea of a respectful debate in politics? Do you think you can change people's opinion by insulting them? do you think anybody will take you seriosly with these clownish remarks?

Funny: only a Brit might be so sensitive about comparisons with dogs. I know a novel in which the writer describes the best way how to get the British police to arrest someone you don't like. You just tell them "That bloody foreigner kicked my dog!" You'll then be sure that they will torture him, the likes of which the prisoners of Saddam Hussein haven't seen! Okat, seriously: A good-cop-bad-cop-strategy isn't a bad one. Israel (the bad cop) plays pussy cat while the good cop (the USA) warns Iran of the consequences of not cooperating with the good cop. The only way you can make this work is to be sure and to make it clear that letting the bad cop loose is a serious opinion and if necessary, you're really willing to do it. I think this strategy of the US (the not so good but also not so bad cop) , EU (the good cop) and Israel (the bad cop) is the best way of getting this disgusting, fundamentalist regime in Iran to change its mind about acquiring 'the bomb'. I very much hope we will soon see a possitive result. Maybe it's good to remind the US government and the IAEA that they should give the Iranian government a 'graceful way out'. Nothing makes things harder for a dictator then the expectation of being called 'the looser'. It's very primitive but that's how dictators work.

I thought the US was Israels Rottweiler!!! I thought they went to war in Iraq for Israel due to (drum roll please} THE ZIONIST LOBBYS CONTROL OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY" Too many conspiracy theories for me to keep track of I guess.

So who's tougher? This sounds so much like an infantile game it probably is. Bunker busters, nukes, smart bombs. It seems everyone would rather have conflict. Let's get off this treadmill. One state- civil rights. End partition. Or else, just blow yourselves up.

What an insult (to the rottweiler)!

To a great extent the relative success of George Bush's foreign policy and the extent that Europe now feels threatened from Islam has brought the EU and the UN more in line with Israel's world view. To be sure the logistics involved in keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons (and even the US would have a hard time with the military option) has forced Israel to work pragmatically and in concert with the UN. Of course the disengagement is a convenient fig leaf for the EU since it can be portrayed as a "peace plan" (and neither the Israeli nor world public are quite sure what to think of the new Sharon). In any case it puts off the whole issue for 6 months which for politicians is about 3 months farther then they can think ahead. It might be added that the worst thing Israel could do if it indeed thinks that it has to attack Iran is to say publically that it intends to do so. Now that Syria will have ground to air missles there is no easy way for Israel to do so without harming Jordan. With Syria out of Lebanon (mostly) there is hope that Lebanon will force Hezbolla to remove it's missles from the Israeli border. Then Iran's incentive to use the nuclear weapons would be decreased.