Those who believe that Iran is creating its nuclear bomb for self protection, must read the following analysis. As I read this piece, it send chills up my spine. If Col Segall is only half accurate, it will not be good. Unfortunately, he may be underestimating the risk.
A major confrontation in the Middle East will be complicated by the Obama antipathy for Netanyahu and the potential reduction of the United States military by the Super Committee's failure to reach any agreement on the budget reductions. We are rapidly reaching a pivotal point in time when Iran seeing weakness in American military readiness and a breech in relations between the United States and Israel will signal an opportunity to attack Israel.
Do you think that Iran would be so adventurous to strike Israel? If so, would their Arab neighbors join in?
I would like to know what you think. Please comment.
Iran Signals Its Readiness for a Final Confrontation
Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael Segall - Jerusalem Issue Brief, Vol. 11, No. 20, November 14th, 2011SUMMARY:
Since the publication of the November 2011 IAEA report, which explicitly spotlights Iran's plans to build nuclear weapons, senior figures of the Iranian regime and the state-run media have begun to use threatening, defiant, and sometimes contemptuous language toward Israel and the United States.
From Iran's standpoint, an ongoing, head-on confrontation with the U.S. and Israel would serve its purposes in the region and build its image as a key actor that stands firm against the West and provides an alternative agenda to reshape the Middle East. Hence, compromise has almost ceased to be an option for Iran.
The current round of the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel over Iran's (military) nuclear program should be seen in a much wider context, one that centers on shaping a new landscape in the Middle East. Iran views itself as “the next big thing” in the region and behaves accordingly – at the moment with no significant challenge or response from the United States and the West.
If in the past Iran held clandestine contacts with Islamic movements, mainly from North African Arab states, on Sudanese soil (such as Ennadha, which has now won the Tunisian elections), it can now openly boost its influence in countries where the “U.S.-supported dictators” have fallen.
Iran no longer fears openly acknowledging that it has built capabilities for reacting to an attack – including the Palestinian organizations in Gaza and Hizbullah in Lebanon – and depicts them as part of its defensive strategy and response in case of a confrontation with Israel and the United States.
At home, the growing strength of the Revolutionary Guards enables them to increasingly influence foreign policy and mainly to export the revolution in ways not seen in the past. The top commanders of its elite Quds Force are emerging from the shadows and will have a key role in the future struggle against the U.S. and its remaining allies in the region, particularly Israel. Iran, as its president said, is preparing for the “final confrontation.” Are we?
IDF Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael (Mickey) Segall, an expert on strategic issues with a focus on Iran, terrorism, and the Middle East, is a senior analyst at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
Since the publication of the November 2011 IAEA report, which explicitly spotlights Iran's plans to build nuclear weapons, senior figures of the Iranian regime and the state-run media have begun to use threatening, defiant, and sometimes contemptuous language toward Israel and the United States.
From Iran's standpoint, an ongoing, head-on confrontation with the U.S. and Israel would serve its purposes in the region and build its image as a key actor that stands firm against the West and provides an alternative agenda to reshape the Middle East. Hence, compromise has almost ceased to be an option for Iran.
The current round of the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel over Iran's (military) nuclear program should be seen in a much wider context, one that centers on shaping a new landscape in the Middle East. Iran views itself as “the next big thing” in the region and behaves accordingly – at the moment with no significant challenge or response from the United States and the West.
If in the past Iran held clandestine contacts with Islamic movements, mainly from North African Arab states, on Sudanese soil (such as Ennadha, which has now won the Tunisian elections), it can now openly boost its influence in countries where the “U.S.-supported dictators” have fallen.
Iran no longer fears openly acknowledging that it has built capabilities for reacting to an attack – including the Palestinian organizations in Gaza and Hizbullah in Lebanon – and depicts them as part of its defensive strategy and response in case of a confrontation with Israel and the United States.
At home, the growing strength of the Revolutionary Guards enables them to increasingly influence foreign policy and mainly to export the revolution in ways not seen in the past. The top commanders of its elite Quds Force are emerging from the shadows and will have a key role in the future struggle against the U.S. and its remaining allies in the region, particularly Israel. Iran, as its president said, is preparing for the “final confrontation.” Are we?
IDF Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael (Mickey) Segall, an expert on strategic issues with a focus on Iran, terrorism, and the Middle East, is a senior analyst at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
I pray for us all. I think Israel is better prepared to deal with an attack than America because we have our heads in the sand. We cannot comprehend such hatred and that will prevent us from preparing. Our goodness keeps us from seeing that others do not always like us.
ReplyDeleteOur leaders need to wake up and prepare and our citizens need to be willing to make some sacrificing to help our leaders prepare.
We are a nation in debt and that is not good! How can we fight if we can't afford to? Who is going to help us? Most of Europe is in financial crisis as well. Are we relying on China to help?