What Is At Stake

Submitted by Mark (United States), Apr 20, 2010 at 00:04

Dr. Pipes,

I might not have understood your article that well and far be it for me to be critical, but although your silver linings are all fine and good, the simple truth is: It would have been better if the rift - particularly noteworthy because such severity is unprecedented for decades or three decades if you consider Carter's - had not happened.

Fact is, it's distressing and it's Israel who got the shaft and who will get the shaft - not the US, and not Obama. There is no on the flip side. There is no on the plus-side. There is no full picture.

And from the blogs: does the US have to be cruel to be kind? No.

So hats off to the bloggers who expressed deep concern and believed that the tension is an ill wind that blows nobody any good - but only the real enemy.

Israel going up in flames from a nuclear attack, gee why would anyone think that could happen? The Trade Towers come to mind, for one thing.

Iran, we're talking about Iran.

And for starters, that is what is at stake - chief among many.

What's the deal? Given what has happened, the US is not as likely as it would have been to protect that country - Israel.

In the NY Times yesterday: Gates saying we're not taking the Iranian threat seriously enough - and that far too little has been done in terms of military planning, on contingencies.

I am no fan of Netanyahu and the Likud party, but of previous Israeli administrations. Netanyahu: the buck stops here. Show flexibility. The US is the only friend you've got. You must rein in the people in your administration who carelessly risk US relations - like those who made the good-to-go housing construction announcement in the midst of Biden's visit. Think long and hard and don't count on Hillary's "our bond is forever" words because someone dressing down an ally and at the same time not adhering is, if history is any indication, how you lose an ally.

To that point, even the NY Post ran an editorial two weeks ago saying what I have been saying right now - of all papers, because the NY Post has been critical of Obama on numerous issues, but not on this one. It was very critical of the Israeli administration.

And Obama, easy does it. Iran hovers in the background, so in that context, cut the country - Israel - some slack. Put your house in order, come up with a military plan to deal with Iran and put it into action if the Frankenstein of a monster problem comes to a head.

And for Israel: Watch out and strike the nuclear facilities - as a practical matter with or without US approval - if it comes to a point where you will be somewhat close at death's door.

Mark

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