On the eve of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Obama has given an interview in which he claims to “understand why” Israel considers Iran an existential threat.
Though the full text of the interview won’t be published until May 25, President Obama appears to have made no mention of CIA chief Leon Panetta’s visit to Israel, in which he reportedly pressured Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak not to launch any surprise attacks against Iran. Rather Obama seemed agnostic on the prospect, saying simpy that “I don’t think it’s my place to determine for the Israelis what their security needs are.”
While the US has publicly clashed with the Netanyahu government over the question of a Palestinian peace deal, which culminated with a claim from Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman that despite the rhetoric the US would accept whatever position Israel took, the floundering peace process will, according to one Israeli advisor, take a back seat to strategic planning by the two nations against Iran.
The subservient position the "most powerful nation on earth" takes on its knees to the worlds second most violent and mass murdering country, Israel, is shameful although understandable since they are both complicit in henious crimes against humanity.
Instead of coming together as one unit and forcing the Americans to stop their one-sided obedience to Israel, the Arabs, through graft and corruption from their despicable leaders, simply facilitate the crimes to continue against the Palestinians. Shameful!
I would love to know who really controls and pulls the strings for the Israeli pupet de jour in the oval office!
Juan Cole, ever hopeful about Obama, sees the upcoming meeting as important for Obama to assert the powers of the United States and remind Netanyahu that we have covering the Zionists asses since the first world war. Now we want something back. So far Obama has been doing a remarkable job of appearing the stateman and being the enabler for his supporters. Even he must have a good laugh when he states who are we to interfere with the sovereignty of another country. Juan is ever the optimist, even seen Rahm Immanuel as the guy who can lay it out for Netanyahu. Still, it can't get any worse.
Actually, it can get worse. If Israel attacks Iran it places all US troops in Iraq in extreme jeopardy. Because we control the airspace, Iran will see the US as complicit in any military action. Furthermore, Iran has the ability to shut the Straits of Hormuz. Can you say $500 per barrel of oil? If they attack one oil supertanker, nobody will insure the tankers. The only viable option for the US would be to shoot down any attacking Israeli planes. So much for a 'strategic ally'.