Iran, threat, irrational–right?

Not according to many current and former Israeli and U.S. officials. Following are just a few recent quotes opposing that notion from a thorough and useful compilation by the folks at Just Foreign Policy:

Iran poses a serious threat, but not an existential one.

– Dan Halutz, Former Israeli Defense Force Chief of Staff, YNet, February 2, 2012

I think the Iranian leadership is composed of very rational people.

– Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, Israeli Chief of Staff, Haaretz, April 25, 2012

Any war with Iran would be a messy and extraordinarily violent affair, with significant casualties and consequences.

– Colin H. Kahl, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Foreign Affairs, March/April 2012


Jasmin Ramsey

Jasmin Ramsey is a journalist based in Washington, DC.

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  1. War is a continuation of politics. Let’s not get complacent and think that Iran will not be attacked because of what these politicians say. What decides if an attack will happen is a cost-benefit analysis. Imagine if Iraq invasion had been a cakewalk. In that case, it is most likely that Iran – the second member of axis of evil – had already been attacked. The Iraq experience, Iran’s preparedness on top of its skilful play of politics(deliberate lack of transparency), and impossible to predict consequences for vulnerable Gulf states is what holds US back. That can change as the election season heats up and the economy goes south.

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