UPDATED BELOW:I have been thinking about Syria in terms of the the situation with Iran especially the attack that Israel so urgently wants to make against Iran. Of course, this is also on the minds of Israeli leaders.Would Israel take the opportunity, under cover of the strikes from the US/UK etc, to strike at Iran? I kind of doubt it myself, but, it is worth considering.So will Israel strike Iran? We have talked that subject on a number of occasions. For Israel, US response on Syria may be harbinger for Iran
In Jerusalem, Washington’s resolve in Syria is seen as a crucial litmus test for its readiness to confront another looming Mideast showdown over unconventional weapons.The prospect of a nuclear Iran is viewed with much greater concern in Israel, though Obama has declined to establish any similar red lines even as he has sought to assure Israel that he is not making empty threats about preventing Iran’s acquisition of a nuclear weapon.American action in Syria might be enough to persuade Netanyahu the Americans are serious about Iran, Zisser said. But Netanyahu’s comments at his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday suggested that Israel is prepared to take action on its own.“The most dangerous regimes in the world must not be allowed to possess the most dangerous weapons in the world,” Netanyahu said. “Our finger must always be on the pulse. Ours is a responsible finger and if necessary, it will also be on the trigger.”
Israel has a 'responsible finger' on the trigger? We would have to define responsible wouldn't we? Or perhaps redefine it?What else makes me think that Israel may take an opportunity to strike Iran. This news has me wondering? Turkey may open İncirlik base upon NATO decision. If the US and company are going to launch everything from the Mediterranean why would they need the Turkish base? Any one? And Syria...The west tells Syrian opposition to expect strike within daysAccording to sources who were at a meeting between envoys and the Syrian coalition
Aim of military strike would be to deter further use of chemical weapons Opposition has suggested list of potential targets Western powers advise Syrian opposition to prepare for Geneva talks despite impending attack
The attack according to this article will last a couple of days
The timing of such an attack, which would probably last no more than two days and involve sea-launched cruise missiles — or, possibly, long-range bombers — striking military targets not directly related to Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, would be dependent on three factors: completion of an intelligence report assessing Syrian government culpability in last week’s alleged chemical attack; ongoing consultation with allies and Congress; and determination of a justification under international law.
There is of course no justification under international law, but, as mentioned yesterday the “Obama administration has been very creative” in that departmentOh and guess which nation is providing ‘evidence’ about the chemical attack? Israeli intelligence seen as central to US case against Syria. Yup, Israeli ‘intelligence’ That should say it all.
While Israel would almost certainly take no direct part in a military strike, Israeli intelligence information is widely believed to have played a central role in enabling the US’s adamant conviction that Assad’s regime fired chemical weapons
Supposedly, evidence regarding the attacks is to be presented today, Tuesday August 27/08.US to present evidence Tuesday ahead of Syria strikeProvided by Israel as already mentioned. I suspect immediately following this presentation the strikes will begin. And should end before the week-end. If all the information from the main stream media is correct?
Two administration officials said the US was expected to make public a more formal determination of chemical weapons use on Tuesday, with an announcement of Obama’s response likely to follow quickly. The officials insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the internal deliberations.US action will last only one or two days and originate from American vessels already stationed in the eastern Mediterranean, the Washington Post report said, but won’t take place before the completion of a detailed intelligence assessment and an analysis of the legality of such a move, and before US allies and Congress are consulted.
** I actually do not believe the tripe about the analysis of legality. The US and Israel care not for legality or international law or human beings for that matter. There disdain for all that and more has been demonstrated abundantly on numerous previous occasions. The US will use the Kosovo meme and that will be that. At least for now, that is how I see this playing out.
On Saturday, a leading German news magazine reported that Israeli intelligence had intercepted Syrian officials discussing the chemical strike (created intelligence?)and that the communications proved that the Assad government was behind the use of nonconventional weapons.
An Israeli team, headed by outgoing National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror, was in Washington Monday for security consultations,( or to give the orders?) with a special emphasis placed on Syria and the consequences and details of a potential US strike. Both Syrian and Iranian officials threatened Monday that if such a strike were to take place, Israel would be targeted in response.
UPDATE BEGINS: Missile strikes against Syria could be launched 'as early as Thursday'
NBC News is reporting that senior US officials said Tuesday that strikes against Syria could start "as early as Thursday." However, with the team of UN chemical weapons inspectors in Syria scheduled to leave the country on Sunday, questions are being asked whether the attacks could start before Sunday. The officials said the strikes will last three days and that the aim is not to degrade the Syrian Army's military capabilities but to send a strong signal to Bashar al-Assad that the "international community" would not tolerate chemical weapons use.
First it was two days and now it is three days.UPDATE # 2 NATO Secretary General rejects western military role in Syria Clearly NATO leadership has heard from Russia/China regarding an attack on Syria. Possibly, Germany is not so hot on the idea?