Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has arrived in Israel on a high profile visit, and right off the bat insisted that the US and Israel both feel “exactly the same” about Iran’s civilian nuclear program, adding that Israel has a “right” to attack Iran whenever it decides it wants to.
Hagel’s nomination to his position was held up briefly over allegations from opponents that he was insufficiently pro-Israel, and many see this trip as a chance for him to demonstrate a sufficiently obsequious posture to silence those critics.
Indeed, Hagel’s “exactly the same” proclamations insisted that one would have to go down to extreme specifics, like the exact timing of when to attack Iran, to even see the “possibility” of differences of opinion.
Hagel’s visit is aimed at presenting a high profile new round of US-subsidized arms sales to Israel, which Hagel insists is meant to send a “clear signal” to Iran of America’s support for Israel.
Other officials had previously said the arms sales were set up “so it would not be viewed as an American endorsement of accelerated planning by Israel to strike alone at Tehran,” but with officials openly endorsing that anyhow, it is hard to say the arms deal is sending any other message.
Israel have the right to do anything it wants.., as long as Israel pays for the consequences.., with blood or money.
…not sure if they've figured out how to print blood yet…
The Fortress State (Israel) will not fall out of American favor….says the dog faced Hagel…America will turn a blind-eye to Israeli aggression and any acts of war but especially if it's aimed at Iran, which, consequently, is doing quite well with its gas sales. Despite Obama's efforts at limited Iranian armament, Iran seems to cannibalized American technology from the felled drones of the Persian Gulf…
Not too long ago, conservatives and independents convinced themselves Hagel might be a what was the term people used for Obama, ah, yes, "a breath of fresh air"…and so many were "cautiously optimistic" but. the romance has faded under perpetual war.
Ok, now how many sheeple just fell for the trick of believing that Hagel would be different and would not be a loyal servant of Israel because of a couple of quotes he made over the years.
To really understand what's going on, you have to realize that events like the Hagel nomination and hearings are all political theater. And the key thing to understand is that someone like the SecDef does not set the policy at the highest level. Hagel was appointed by Obama, and will resign the day Obama asks him to resign. And Hagel will do exactly what Obama tells him to do until he resigns.
If you want to see policy towards Israel change, you have to stop voting for Presidents like Obama (or Romney, or McCain, or Dubya, or Kerry, or Gore, or Clinton, or Dole ….) that will continue to follow this policy. There are always other candidates on the ballot. Try voting for one of them next time.
This is utter nonsense. Israel does not have an unconditional right to decide when it should attack Iran. It may only attack in self defense or if it at risk of imminent attack. Otherwise it would be waging a war of aggression and violating international law. To hear this from Hagel of all people is disturbing indeed. Doubtless it came from his boss who has pretended to seek a diplomatic solution while rendering negotiations impossible.
Iran is NOT a military threat to Israel or its neighbors or the U.S., but it is a competitive economic threat to Israel because it is doing business with its neighbors despite the sanctions. Israel should be satisfied with what it has- its offshore gas fields alone are now projected to yield $140 billion over the life of the reserves, and for years it has been receiving huge subsidies for literally everything while Americans have been squeezed.
This threat of another war must be put to rest before it destroys all of us.
I would like to know how much of the ofshore fields Israel claims as its own are offshore from Gaza. Israel has stolen land, water, housing, lives, fishing rights, access to air, sea or land entrance and exit from the besieged strip, but claims all the benefits of its position supported by the USA.
How it can pretend to be a poor victim baggars belief.
And Russia and China have a right to prevent such an attack by preemptively nuking Tel Aviv.
One can only hope melted Chosenite is the passage way to peace.
I wish there was such a credible threat toward Israel. It would disillusion Israeli government from believing it can gain anything by attacking Iran.
Unfortunately, China is too far away and has a policy of staying out of foreign conflict as best as possible.
As for Russia – Tel Aviv has a large population of Russian ex-patriates, so Moscow would have a hard time nuking them. I suppose if WW3 broke out they would, but short of that – don't count on it.
Russia's approach to this conflict has always puzzled me.
They have a substantial financial stake in developing Iran's nuclear technology. Both in the reactor they've already built and future ones Iran has made deals to purchase.
So the Russians have an interest in protecting their investment.
They have an interest in drawing boundaries to continued U.S. expansionism.
But they've stayed away from providing Iran their most advanced AA systems, or other non-nuclear weapon systems that could deter Israel.
I suppose this could be because they're worried about such weapons being used against Russia in some future conflict.
They could strike a mutual-defense treaty with Iran – to make clear to Israel an attack on Iran would be viewed as an attack against Russia – and it risks overwhelming retaliation.
They're not doing that either.
So they leave things in a state where Israeli politicians believe they might be able to pull off a sneak aerial attack on Iran's installations – and achieve something by it without paying an unacceptable price. This makes war more likely.
I don't know why people are slow to recognize that China and Russia are COOPERATING with Israel and US. Their style is different. To fool the gullible people, first they say no, so they can bargain for a better concession and then they SELL. We have seen Russia and China had full cooperation with US/Israel against Iran and voted for all sanctions, the same against N. Koria while both are sitting on thousands of nuclear weapons like US/Israel.
Only gullible people are fooled with criminal states of Russia and China. Both they have sold Syria as well. While US is sending more weapons and money, Russia and China express their "concern" and DO NOTHING.
Another successful AIPAC puppet. This trick with pretending Hagel's character and America-first standing and theatrical Senate hearings have been slowly showing that this man would sell his own mother for his job. He is total sell out. Obama's smart game with masses. Nobody had any hope regarding Kerry – he is just being himself, but this pro-Hagel fight even here on Antiwar looks everyday worse and worse..
it is unbelievable the amount of control these people have over the US government….
the aipac people are clearly a clear and presnt danger…
Stop voting for them.
We keep electing candidates that take money from AIPAC and who openly swear fealty to AIPAC and Israel. Obama clearly did both before the 2008 elections. So, everyone who voted for Obama, Romney or McCain needs to realize that they voted for exactly that.
That's where AIPAC gets their power from. From your votes. The day people stop voting for these candidates, AIPAC becomes powerless. The day that any connection to AIPAC or support of Israel becomes political cryptonite, then they instantly lose power.
Don't whine about AIPAC's apparently mysterious power. Just stop electing and working for and supporting any candidate that supports AIPAC or that AIPAC likes. If you see AIPAC go into attack mode on a candidate, then realize you need to back and support them.
There were several non-AIPAC candidates for President in the last election. Combined they didn't get 3% of the vote. That's where AIPAC power comes from. Please stop doing that.
Stupid talk like most yankee government "officials."
What right has any country to attack another for no reason other than a perception of having plans to acquire nuclear weapons?
What is even more ludicrous is that the AGGRESSOR NATION possesses NUCLEAR WEAPONS and the NATION being attacked has no such weapons.
ARE ALL AMERICANS DUMB OR IS IT ONLY HAGEL?
What right has any country to attack another for no reason other than a perception of having plans to acquire nuclear weapons?
What is even more ludicrous is that the AGGRESSOR NATION possesses NUCLEAR WEAPONS and the NATION being attacked has no such weapons.
ARE ALL AMERICANS DUMB OR IS IT ONLY HAGEL?
He's right. Israel could go ahead and attack Iran if it wished. The world should just stand back and let them face the consequences. I would expect a mass exodus of flights from Ben Gurion. That would be totally ironic.
hence aipact trying to get easy entrance into the US for the isrealis…
there is a bill rite now wiating vote for the isreali to come and go as they please in the US…and probable no screening either
I dont believe there will be a usable runway in the shitty little state after Iran is done with them. They will be turned over to the Palestinians for punishment for their deeds since 1900.
Well, well, Ronald Reagan was right when he said "The major threat to freedom did not come from communist government in Russia or China, but from government in the United States."
Israel has neither the "right" nor the means to attack Iran – unless it does a Pearl Harbor with nukes. This Hagel talk is embarrassing – we all know the reason for him being in Israel rather than at the Pentagon taking care of business, but does he have to kiss ass in public right on the tarmac?
Yes … its probably the first line in the job description.
When it comes to Israel nobody in government is allowed to think 'outside the box'. Despite all the brouhaha over his nomination, Hagel is now safely within the box. The 'death and destruction' box.
Israel doesnt have the right to attack Iran under International law, niether does the United States, however IF Israel was to attack Iran they should be told do not axpect the United States to bail you out! and that Israel should have to pay for their actions both financially as well as physically!
Iran has threatened to raise Haifa and Tel Aviv to the ground if Israel attacks.
As long as Iran can retaliate forcefully there will be no attack on that country from either the US or Israel.
pnb it is RAZE to the ground. The point is that Iran will react, retaliate ie in self defence, unlike the USI belligerent aggression.
Hopefully, if attacked, Iran will "tit for tat" and make the Zionist aggressor wince in a big fashion.
I am probably asking too much honesty from the dishonest. Tell me. How many thousands Israelis were killed by those 22,000 penis size Hamas, Hezbollah & Iran made rockets rain on Israel since 1990? One Thai farmer in Gosh Gatif. And How Many thousands Arab, elders, women and sleeping babies doled by of PLO, Hamas, Hezbollah & Iran Traitors to IDF, IAF, Mossad & police losers to kill? Over 50,000. If the blood money of each victim is $50,000 then Israel owe arabs $.2,500,000,000. Arabs as camels they neither forgive nor forget. Never mind we will be happier if you leave the holy land and go back home to your New Jerusalem Nigeria.
I love Chuck Hagel when he snubs Israeli fools. Just seven weeks ago. Israelis armed to teeth to assassinate Hagel’s character as they did it to Charles Freeman. They used every Corrupt Republican Frugal and Deranged Teeebaagerzz hippie at the house and the senate to take away his Pentagon job and dole it an Israelifirster. They failed. Washington believes that’s its Arab Thugocracies’ fault that Israelis are the Endangered Species of the Middle East and Arab Thugocracies must pay for it. Arab Thugocracies must fund Arming Israel against its Pacifists enemies as Iran, Hezbollah & Hamas who never killed a single Israeli and allowed Israeli to kill thousands of them as sitting ducks. Israel uses their rocket rain as CRY-WOLF to capture headlines and to get American fools’ sympathies). In another word Israel is Arab Thugocracies liability. Have you noticed over the weekend – Two specimens of those Arab Thugocracies been extorted by Obama at the Oval office: “Arm Israel or I will have McCain Germs devastate the hell outta you”. Now I feel better. Saudi & UAE are paying Hagel for Israel’s order of missiles for its fighter aircraft, plus KC-135 refueling planes that could be used in long-range strike on country like Iran, as well as V-22 Osprey transport planes. Robert Burns TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Reports: “Saudi Arabia and the UAE are part of $10 billion proposed US arms sale THAT INCLUDES ISRAEL. The UAE would get about 26 F-16 fighters and Saudi Arabia would get advanced air-launched missiles.” Chuck Hagel told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “you’re on your own now. Iran is yours and your butt is theirs”. But he added, "When you back down into the specifics of timing of when and if Iran decides to pursue a nuclear weapon, there may well be some differences."
israel suffers from paranoia, delusions of grandeur,anti-social personality disorders,psychotic bouts of maniac violence, hubris, rabid nepotism, delusions of divinity, xenophobia,narcissism, amoral, sociopathic and utter disrespect towards rule of law,probity and disdain to the well-being of non-israeli human beings…
Oh congress. Can we have more wars? Can we? Can we?
The coming beat down of the Israeli government, military and all of its terrorist apparatus is coming in to play. Any attack on Iran will be Israel's last. If they ever use a nuke, nukes will fall on Haifa, and Tel Aviv. Iran is a smart country. They have outside access to what they do not have in house.
Where's Justin? Would he like to repeat his rants that Hagel was a "defeat" for the War Party?
Thought not. So far Hagel has done nothing but toe the Iran party line right to the millimeter.
SecDef is a servant who follows orders. That was always known. All of the BS about the Hagel nomination ignored the basic fact that a SecDef follows policy set by the President. He'd be asked to resign the second he didn't follow orders. To expect change from the swapping of SecDefs was always remarkably silly and showed a complete lack of understanding.
I remember reading the quote from Hagel claiming he was a US senator and not an israeli senator. To bad he didn't bring that attitude to his new job. Off the bandwagon I jump.
But he never said he wasn't an Israeli Secretary of Defense.
Hagel and Obama have to act as if they support Israeli aggression. However, I still believe they will not allow Israel to attack. Among other reasons the US can not financially afford another war.
LOL … since when did affording a war stop anything. We couldn't afford wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Syria or Timbuktu either. And of course, since Obama is an anti-war President, he secretly opposes what he publicly does every day too.