The assessment of COA A wasn't quite accurate. The US put a lot of pressure on Israel not to respond because it wanted to keep the Arabs in the international coalition. When it got too bad, Israel threatened to "solve the problem." That is when JSOC deployed with Delta to "Scud hunt" in Western Iraq. Schwatzkopf did not want us there, but Collin Powell interceded and directed our involvement.
So, like this time, there was US pressure and then the US did get involved in the response.
Israel is attempting to thread the proverbial camel through the eye of a needle (apologies to biblical scholars for mangling the poorly remembered metaphor). They have nukes, a western value system of morals (despite the "genocide" rhetoric from you know who), and tried to send a nuanced message to the Iranians, appease the U.S. and U.N., while keeping their Israeli citizenry safe. Iran has 7th century values, publicly desires to "genocide" the Israelis, and the United States if they could do it. What they don't have (yet) is nukes. Lost in this horrific mess is the question of how close they are to getting a nuke (and delivery system). The day Iran becomes the Middle East version of N. Korea, everyone's decision calculus dramatically changes. Thanks JCPOA, just what we all need...
Israel is preventing a lot of jihadists from achieving their places in paradise with its measured responses. I think this is highly appropriate on her part and urge Israel to strike much harder so the HAMAS, Hezbollah and Houthi warriors can enjoy their 72 virgins in gardens of pure delight.
Israel has shown, for several months, more restraint than I would have. Months ago during the constant barrage from Yemen, I would have drawn up a map of every military installation, radar installation, government office, and every hometown of every government official (where they may flee) in Iran. When that map was completed the bombing would commence. First Military installations and radar, then governmental offices. I might hold in reserve the hometowns. I have a extremely low tolerance for bullies. An aside note: we haven't heard any statements from the Abraham Accord signatories. I guess they didn't really expect to hold up any resistance to the perpetrators of the violence, just issued a pinky promise they wouldn't participate in the attacks.
I'm not clear what Mckenzie means by "false chimera". Does he mean the nuclear program is "all shirt and no trousers"? Or (whimsy aside), that it's mostly for show and bargaining power, and will never realistically result in a useable weapon? Because if that's what he thinks, a lot of organisations appear to disagree with him.
"That last point - and I’ll give credit to McKenzie as he seems to be slowly coming to terms with what really happened in Kabul (no, I will not let that go) - is, I believe, correct."
In this world of 'de-platforming' McKenzie deserves neither ink or, electrons for his results in Kabul. While I would've preferred to see Gen Miller toss his stars on the table out of principle and his background, McKenzie deserves a larger share of blame for the Catastrophe of '21
Is there any possibility that Iran set up their own generals as they were meeting with all the Iranian proxies.? Curious that they were all together and Israel knew where they were. Perhaps, there is a faction in the Iranian government that does not want a war. Just a thought.
Sal's last paragraph is very important. The US needs a Congressional Commission to examine the exact destination of all of the aid recently provided to both Israel and Ukraine. We seem to have learned nothing from the profligate and undocumented expenses across the Afghan conflict. None of that means taking away support for these nations, but the US public must know where those funds are going. The $61b appropriated for Ukraine this last week could make a whole lot of Virginia class subs, B-21 bombers, new frigates, etc.
The assessment of COA A wasn't quite accurate. The US put a lot of pressure on Israel not to respond because it wanted to keep the Arabs in the international coalition. When it got too bad, Israel threatened to "solve the problem." That is when JSOC deployed with Delta to "Scud hunt" in Western Iraq. Schwatzkopf did not want us there, but Collin Powell interceded and directed our involvement.
So, like this time, there was US pressure and then the US did get involved in the response.
It appears the proponents of stealth and SDI were correct.
They can always go back and hit the container cranes at Bandar Abbas some other day.
Israel is attempting to thread the proverbial camel through the eye of a needle (apologies to biblical scholars for mangling the poorly remembered metaphor). They have nukes, a western value system of morals (despite the "genocide" rhetoric from you know who), and tried to send a nuanced message to the Iranians, appease the U.S. and U.N., while keeping their Israeli citizenry safe. Iran has 7th century values, publicly desires to "genocide" the Israelis, and the United States if they could do it. What they don't have (yet) is nukes. Lost in this horrific mess is the question of how close they are to getting a nuke (and delivery system). The day Iran becomes the Middle East version of N. Korea, everyone's decision calculus dramatically changes. Thanks JCPOA, just what we all need...
Israel is preventing a lot of jihadists from achieving their places in paradise with its measured responses. I think this is highly appropriate on her part and urge Israel to strike much harder so the HAMAS, Hezbollah and Houthi warriors can enjoy their 72 virgins in gardens of pure delight.
Israel has shown, for several months, more restraint than I would have. Months ago during the constant barrage from Yemen, I would have drawn up a map of every military installation, radar installation, government office, and every hometown of every government official (where they may flee) in Iran. When that map was completed the bombing would commence. First Military installations and radar, then governmental offices. I might hold in reserve the hometowns. I have a extremely low tolerance for bullies. An aside note: we haven't heard any statements from the Abraham Accord signatories. I guess they didn't really expect to hold up any resistance to the perpetrators of the violence, just issued a pinky promise they wouldn't participate in the attacks.
I'm not clear what Mckenzie means by "false chimera". Does he mean the nuclear program is "all shirt and no trousers"? Or (whimsy aside), that it's mostly for show and bargaining power, and will never realistically result in a useable weapon? Because if that's what he thinks, a lot of organisations appear to disagree with him.
Correct. I was far too limited and shortsighted with my timeframe.
Israel proved it has first strike capability. They can launch all out and retaliation, such as it may be will be shot down.
Every once-in-a-while, some sort of over the top, horrific object lesson display of power is needed to remind the evil of their potential mortality.
I would say Israel made a good choice.
They did damage to the radar sites and airbase that protected their nuke plants.
"That last point - and I’ll give credit to McKenzie as he seems to be slowly coming to terms with what really happened in Kabul (no, I will not let that go) - is, I believe, correct."
In this world of 'de-platforming' McKenzie deserves neither ink or, electrons for his results in Kabul. While I would've preferred to see Gen Miller toss his stars on the table out of principle and his background, McKenzie deserves a larger share of blame for the Catastrophe of '21
Is there any possibility that Iran set up their own generals as they were meeting with all the Iranian proxies.? Curious that they were all together and Israel knew where they were. Perhaps, there is a faction in the Iranian government that does not want a war. Just a thought.
A good question I don't have an idea of an answer for... lol
Sal's last paragraph is very important. The US needs a Congressional Commission to examine the exact destination of all of the aid recently provided to both Israel and Ukraine. We seem to have learned nothing from the profligate and undocumented expenses across the Afghan conflict. None of that means taking away support for these nations, but the US public must know where those funds are going. The $61b appropriated for Ukraine this last week could make a whole lot of Virginia class subs, B-21 bombers, new frigates, etc.
COA B is still available, as Iran may not take the hint.