Israel, in Today's News 10.06.09

Israel. One of the risks taken by Obama in delaying an attack on Iran, is that the Israelis will take action anyway that would precipitate American involvement in militarily confronting Iran. Obama is undoubtedly acutely aware of this danger. If he is smart he is having the US intelligence agencies working extra hours to keep track of what the Israelis are up to.

But, as time marches on, the Israelis become more and more frustrated with Obama trying to buy time as he pretends to negotiate with the Iranians. One can be sure that Israel has a plan to force the US into an attack on Iran. Sooner or later, and sooner is getting closer and closer, they will implement their plan.

On October 5 the US took an unprecedented action to deter Israel. The US actually abstained on a resolution before the United Nations Security Council that Israel give up its nuclear weapons!! Diplomatic circles were stunned by the US failure to defend Israeli nuclear weapons, as they had done repeatedly in the past. Usually the US votes 'no' on such resolutions, ignoring the nuclear weapons in Israel while demanding Iran produce none.

In effect, the US was making a shot across the bow of Israel. The message certainly was that if Israel attacks Iran directly or indirectly, the backing of US is not assured. 

The US did this because they are getting worried about Israel's plans. As a discussion piece in today's Wall Street Journal (page A21) said, "Also factoring in the administration's thinking are reports that the Israelis are in the final stages of planning an attack on Iran's nuclear installations." [!!!!!!!!]

Be prepared for all kinds of fireworks on the Iran issue in the next few months.

BTW, the strain between Obama and Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu was shown in Netanyahu characterizing Obama over an accidentally open microphone as "worse than Chamberlain" .