Ex-IDF general: U.S. missed chance for diplomatic solution to Iran nuclear issue

My full respect to Mr. Giora Eiland. His thinking is both smart and clear.

I commend General Eiland on an excellent interview, and I share most of his assessments. However, his concern that an Iranian nuclear bomb would trigger a wave of pride in Moslem nations worldwide puzzles me. Why didn't the development of the Pakistani arsenal about two decades ago encourage such a wave then or now? Indeed, Pakistan is the world's second largest Moslem nation after Indonesia, and it is mainly Sunni, so following Eiland's idea, the wave should be even greater. The problem grows as Pakistan may be the only nuclear power actively increasing its arsenal at present. If anything, I believe that Iran that the main reason that Iran may be moving toward a weapon is to contest the Sunni vs Shia World War that flares up frequently. The current round is going on in Syria. I would be interested in how General Eiland views this conflict, and how it might affect Israel. Again, thanks for a thoughtful article on a difficult subject.

Military hostilities with Iran should start on September the 19th

Iran has no intention of building a nuclear weapon, much less using one. All intelligence agree on this. Iran does apparently , want to have breakout capability, just like Japan and Germany, the two nations responsible for the last major war.Under the NPT which Iran is a signatory to and Israel i9s not, Iran has this right. The NPT might have been written differently, but it was not. Iran threatens no one. It threatens only to defend itself if attacked. The Iranian regime may be odious in many ways, but there is nothing in international that justifies attacking Iran.

When I read those answers, I became aware how the jewish people have prevailed in time aggainst all odds. We have many many above the top decision makers.

So...if the likelihood that Iran will become a nuclear power is over 50% then the likelihood that the current situation will lead to a preventive action by either Israel or the US is also over 50%. That the current diplomatic solution is less likely to be positive increases the likelihood of a military action, and therefore for using this possibility as pressure for finding a diplomatic solution...Get it? Really?

... don't see that one happening.

from a serious and genius mind. But this is not what Israeli hard headed hawks will accept

He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. Time for Israel to wake up and make peace with everyone. How long can you carry on in a state of emergency? Make peace make friends opologise for the suffering. Make more friends than enemies & you will be in a good place.

Great article......it deserves a lot of credits.....

The conclusion seems to be Iran will get the bomb and Israel will be hog tied. That's just great!

I am impressed with the general's wisdom and command over the subject how beautifully he truncated the whole scenario