Should U.S./Israel bomb Iran?
In an Atlantic cover story Jeffrey Goldberg says that Israel is likely to bomb Iran within the next year or so and will not ask for America’s permission. There is much controversy surrounding Goldberg’s article because some think he is war-mongering while others believe he is simply reporting. And yet others believe he might have tried to state a case for bombing Iran, but actually – knowingly or unknowingly - did the reverse.
… the Israelis will tell their American counterparts that they are taking this drastic step because a nuclear Iran poses the gravest threat since Hitler to the physical survival of the Jewish people. The Israelis will also state that they believe they have a reasonable chance of delaying the Iranian nuclear program for at least three to five years. They will tell their American colleagues that Israel was left with no choice.
Robert Wright of the New York Times reports in his article entitled “Why Not to Bomb Iran” that after reading Goldberg’s piece former C.I.A. official Paul Pillar said that Israel’s inclination to attack Iran is “more a matter of the amygdala and emotion than of the cortex and thought.” Wright also says that Goldberg’s article ironically makes a case for not bombing Iran:
His article, read closely, suggests that even from Israel’s point of view, there’s no sound rationale for bombing Iran, especially when you consider the long-term downside: an attack would radically dim what prospects there are for lasting peace in the Middle East; Israel’s downward spiral — in which regional hostility toward it leads to conflicts that only deepen the hostility — would be sustained big time. If appealing to America’s interests isn’t enough to keep Israel from attacking Iran, maybe appealing to Israel’s interests will help.
Former Israeli soldier speaks about photos of Palestinian prisoners
A former Israeli soldier who posted photographs on Facebook of herself posing next to blindfolded Palestinian prisoners said on Tuesday she didn’t understand what the problem was. Eden Abergil said: “pictures were taken in good will, there was no statement in them.” An Israeli military spokesman denounced the photos, calling them “disgraceful.” An Israeli human rights group claimed the pictures were not the ugly behavior of one person, but a norm throughout the army. A spokesman for the Palestinian Authority said the images depicted “the day-to-day life of the Palestinian people under occupation,” and suggested “that occupation also corrupts the Israelis.”
Taiwan and China finalize historic trade deal
Taiwan's legislature approved a trade pact with China that will reduce tariffs on hundreds of products and deepen economic ties between the one-time enemies. China is Taiwan's largest trading partner and largest investment destination. Opposition lawmakers believe the Chinese will use the pact to ultimately try and reunify Taiwan with mainland China. Meanwhile Taiwan urged the U.S. to sell it upgraded military jets and submarines in response to a Pentagon report issued yesterday that concluded China’s military now has an advantage over Taiwan.
60 Iraqi army recruits killed by suicide bomber, Al Qaeda and political vacuum blamed
A suicide bomber detonated explosives that were strapped to his legs in an Iraqi Army recruitment center in east Baghdad, killing 60 people and wounding 120 more, as U.S. military officials blame Al Qaeda. However, many Iraqis blame the political vacuum that exists, especially after one of Iraq’s major political parties, Iraqiya, suspended talks to form a coalition government because they felt they had been smeared by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who referred to the group as “Sunni-based”. Iraqiya leaders believe this belies a deep and dangerous sectarian sentiment. It is true that Iraqiya is widely supported by Sunnis yet it advertises itself as nonsectarian, and its leader, Ayad Allawi, is actually a secular Shiite.
Pakistan floods: Food riots erupt in Sindh (Video / Photos)
Pakistan’s flood victims have begun rioting at food distribution centers because many believe local government officials and employees are taking more than their fair share of aid that has been donated by the United Nations. Police have clashed with people at a flood relief camp in Sukkur in Sindh province. Pakistan’s government, meanwhile, is trying to assuage international donors that funds to help the victims of these devastating floods will not fall into the hands of extremists such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Text “SWAT” to 50555 to donate $10 to U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for Pakistan Flood victims.
For more Geopolitics Examiner articles, click here.
For Afghanistan Headlines Examiner articles, click here.
Get the latest Geopolitics headlines delivered straight to your inbox. Just click the SUBSCRIBE button located above the article.
Comments