If Obama decides it is in America’s interest to make an example of Israel after the Gaza flotilla incident in order to win goodwill in Cairo, Beirut, Tehran, and Ankara, then he must also recognize that the leadership in Jerusalem is going to conclude that it cannot trust the United States to safeguard its security, and that therefore it must take matters into its own hands on any number of issues, not the least of which is Iran’s nuclear program. In effect, if the White House decides to come down hard on Israel now, it is the same as giving a green light for Israel to strike Iran.
Rubin quickly claims that he is not engaging in “advocacy” for an Israeli strike on Iran, just as he claims to be opposed to military against Iran in general. (The real question, of course, is not whether bombing Iran would be his first choice but whether he prefers war to containment and deterrence as a last resort). But the threat is clear: keep quiet on the flotilla attack, or Israel starts a war with Iran — thereby destabilizing the region and jeopardizing the U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The obvious word for this is “blackmail”.
rfjk
June 1, 2010 @ 6:51 am
Actually, its becoming increasingly immaterial what the US has to say at the UN or even do regarding Israel’s criminal acts against the ‘Free Gaza Flotilla’ or the I/P crises. Israeli threats or blackmail against the US are useless, when the participation and sponsorship of a state like Turkey in support of Palestinians is a real game changer in the region.
Recently Turkey and Brazil demonstrated the weakening posture of the US in the region in their overture to the Iranians. I’ll bet the farm Turkey is not alone in this present affair of piracy on the high seas. And a possible clue to other participating states behind the scenes, may be the alacrity with which some states condemned Israel almost immediately after the attack.
rfjk
June 1, 2010 @ 7:11 am
A further point I failed to make is that Iran has virtually nothing to do with the current crises. Any contribution they would initiate would end as badly as Muammar Gaddafi’s sponsorship with the ‘Free Gaza Movement.’ Turkey is an altogether different problem, and appears to be rapidly becoming Israels biggest problem in the region. Even bigger than a nuclear armed Iran.
Jon Harrison
June 1, 2010 @ 8:57 am
Blackmail — exactly.
DICKERSON3870
June 1, 2010 @ 9:51 am
RE: …the threat is clear: keep quiet on the flotilla attack, or Israel starts a war with Iran — thereby destabilizing the region and jeopardizing the U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The obvious word for this is “blackmail”. – Luban
MY COMMENT: Look upon this as a great fundraising opportunity for the November elections. By using our veto in the UN Security Council to help Israel avoid accepting responsibility for the consequences of its actions, the Obama administration will be earning many millions of dollars in campaign contributions to the coffers of Democrats. That’s the American way!
P.S. Haim Saban: “Give us mo’ money, mo’ money, mo’ money!”
mo money (03:32) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jukQX2pl2Q
Patrick Cummins
June 1, 2010 @ 10:22 am
The US is caught now between a rock and a hard place. If it fails to condemn Israel, then its prospects of getting UN approval for sanctions against Iran are bound to diminish greatly. And Israel, which has been pushing strongly for these sanctions, has effectively undermined the chances that they will be instituted.
Egbert
June 1, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
If Israel does use its nuke from those subs in the Persian Gulf, it will be with US permission, and yet there are US and NATO troops downwind of the targets in Iran. That should lead to some interesting fallout (pun intended).
rfjk
June 1, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
The US caved in the face of massive global outrage at the UNSC and approved the UN resolution condemning Israeli aggression and violation of international law on the high seas.
scott
June 2, 2010 @ 8:10 am
Pat wrote, “And Israel, which has been pushing strongly for these sanctions, has effectively undermined the chances that they will be instituted.”
That may well be just what they want. Sanctions means sitting on your hands, waiting for something to happen. No sanctions and an international system in tatters allows assertive clear thinking actors like Israel to act with impetuous impunity. The distance (between US/Isr.) provides the space to condemn without consequences.
vigora
June 3, 2010 @ 6:06 am
US vetos a strong resolution against Israel so Israel does not attack Iran. As a result, reducing chances of passing sanctions against Iran.We can conclude that Iran has used US veto power and Israel gaza blockade to duck a war and sanctions.
PERSIAN ARE USING US STRONGEST TOOLS AGAINST THEM.
How interesting!!
khondakar hasanat
June 3, 2010 @ 6:37 am
This is an clear and overt admission by Mr Rubin that the attacks on Iran by Israel is being sought from US to enhance /consolidate and increase Israeli security. If this claims were made by someone else tomorrow he or she would be called antisemite.
Another interesting point only a fascist or nazi or Devil could make that he is making is that a guy can beat the shit out of another guy and if the sheriff complained then first guy would go and beat the shit of a third guy or force the sheriff to do it since the second guy and third guy are supportive of each other.
Donna
June 3, 2010 @ 11:02 am
I disagree. Israel would need US backing for an attack on Iran. If it perceived that the US wouldn’t back it, I don’t think it would make the attempt. Judging by the disgusting apologetics coming from so-called progressive politicians, yes, those very same progressives who fought for health care and financial reform, Israel would never get the idea that the US doesn’t back each and every one of its war crimes. Time to rethink the concept of “progressive”?
wiseman
June 3, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
The full of hot air israelis’ better be prepared to lose 70% of their strike force, should they foolishly decide to attack Persia & I believe they know it. The classical behavior of a bully & we know how bullies should be dealt with. I believe the Persians (& now the Turks) do. israel has been thoroughly checkmated.
Loraine
June 5, 2010 @ 12:33 am
Israel is DEFINITELY a bully and should be boycotted at every instance.
she@sie
June 5, 2010 @ 4:42 am
my question: why does the usa care if isreal attacks iran?
kevin R
June 5, 2010 @ 8:41 am
Israel attacked a Non-Hostile NATO flagged ship in international waters using Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in violation of the Arms Export Control Act. An American teenager was shot 4 times in the head. The IDF then used demonstrably false photographic evidence as justification for their actions.
If any other foreign power had done this there would be repercussions and a huge public outcry. There should be in this instance also
RE she@sie
June 5, 2010 @ 8:47 am
Q:why does the usa care if isreal attacks iran?
Are you some kind of RETARD that thinks everything happens in a vacuum. If Israel attacks Iran than the price of oil skyrockets (this effects everyone).
This is of course a MOOT POINT, because Israel is a paper tiger, the big bad wolf, it’s literally too chicken shit to attack Iran. THEY ARE BLUFFING, CALL THEM ON IT
Doubting Thomas
June 5, 2010 @ 11:12 am
“my question: why does the usa care if isreal attacks iran?”
Here’s a few:
1- It will drive up the price of oil and create economic hardship. (Israels action in the 1967 war resulted in the oil embargo of the 70s and cost Americans many hundreds of billions if not trillions in highers oil prices from that time forward)
2- It could lead to massive disruption of oil supplies through the Persian Gulf and unforeseen expansion of the war.
3- USA citizens will once again be expected to die for Israel’s security after they get their axx whipped and their forces decimated even though they initiated the attack.
The solution is a single and diverse multi cultural non-theocratic state that will accommodate both Israelis and Palestinians on both of their lands. Also elimination of Israeli nukes, resulting in leverage against nuclear proliferation from Iran, etc and a peaceful non-nuclear Middle East.
HP
June 5, 2010 @ 11:49 am
this is so obvious since ages. but it will probably happen this time. Israel gets more and more nervous.