War could break out involving Israel, at any time (I am writing this Oct 2012)
One distinguishing feature of the world before both WWI and WWII, was that the major powers were alligned into opposing blocs. The major blocs today are:
IN THE GREEN TRUNKS:
Iran, Syria, Hizbullah, Hamas
IN THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE TRUNKS:
NATO (including Turkey) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia & friends)
The current Israeli leadership is very closely aligned with the "Red White & Blues".
If that sounds like an unequal match, one might allow that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes Russia and China, have considerable military links with the "Green Trunks" folks.
I have seen many, here and elsewhere, who have argued that war will not break out in the Middle East because Israel is unlikely to attack Iran. This is wrong thinking because,
1. The war doesn't have to start with Israel attacking Iran. The Green Trunks folks have said that they will attack Israel, if any one of them is attacked -- by Israel or anyone else.
2. War has already begun. Turkey and Syria have been shelling each other for five days now, and Israel and Hamas have just finished an artillery exchange -- along with intrusion over one another's airspace by drone aircraft. Hizbullah is reported to have tens of thousands of advanced missiles, ready to be used against Israel on a moment's notice; and Israel, Turkey and Iran alike have sent reinforcements to the front lines. Israelis are buying gas masks, and expecting war at any time.
3. Israel may attack Iran after all. The Israelis are not in the habit of announcing beforehand that they will take out an enemy's nuclear capabilities. They did it before to Iraq and Syria, without so much as a whisper beforehand. In fact, the main reason for believing that Israel will NOT attack Iran, is that they've crowed about doing it for so long. The Iranians are certainly not acting as though Israel will not attack; they are engaged in feverish military preparations.
One distinguishing feature of the world before both WWI and WWII, was that the major powers were alligned into opposing blocs. The major blocs today are:
IN THE GREEN TRUNKS:
Iran, Syria, Hizbullah, Hamas
IN THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE TRUNKS:
NATO (including Turkey) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia & friends)
The current Israeli leadership is very closely aligned with the "Red White & Blues".
If that sounds like an unequal match, one might allow that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which includes Russia and China, have considerable military links with the "Green Trunks" folks.
I have seen many, here and elsewhere, who have argued that war will not break out in the Middle East because Israel is unlikely to attack Iran. This is wrong thinking because,
1. The war doesn't have to start with Israel attacking Iran. The Green Trunks folks have said that they will attack Israel, if any one of them is attacked -- by Israel or anyone else.
2. War has already begun. Turkey and Syria have been shelling each other for five days now, and Israel and Hamas have just finished an artillery exchange -- along with intrusion over one another's airspace by drone aircraft. Hizbullah is reported to have tens of thousands of advanced missiles, ready to be used against Israel on a moment's notice; and Israel, Turkey and Iran alike have sent reinforcements to the front lines. Israelis are buying gas masks, and expecting war at any time.
3. Israel may attack Iran after all. The Israelis are not in the habit of announcing beforehand that they will take out an enemy's nuclear capabilities. They did it before to Iraq and Syria, without so much as a whisper beforehand. In fact, the main reason for believing that Israel will NOT attack Iran, is that they've crowed about doing it for so long. The Iranians are certainly not acting as though Israel will not attack; they are engaged in feverish military preparations.
