U.S. says exercise by Israel seemed directed at Iran

[LogansPapa]

By Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt / Friday, June 20, 2008

WASHINGTON: Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Several American officials said the Israeli exercise appeared to be an effort to develop the military's capacity to carry out long-range strikes and to demonstrate the seriousness with which Israel views Iran's nuclear program.

More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighters participated in the maneuvers, which were carried out over the eastern Mediterranean and over Greece during the first week of June, American officials said.

The exercise also included Israeli helicopters that could be used to rescue downed pilots. The helicopters and refueling tankers flew more than 900 miles, which is about the same distance between Israel and Iran's uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, American officials said.

Israeli officials declined to discuss the details of the exercise. A spokesman for the Israeli military would say only that the country's air force "regularly trains for various missions in order to confront and meet the challenges posed by the threats facing Israel."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/...ica/20iran.php

[Odysseus]

By Michael R. Gordon and Eric Schmitt / Friday, June 20, 2008
WASHINGTON: Israel carried out a major military exercise earlier this month that American officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Oh, there go those darn Israelis again, not dying on command. Don't they know that when Ahmedinejad said that he was going to wipe them off of the Earth, he meant it as a metaphor? If he really meant to unleash another Holocaust, he'd never had denied that the last one happened, now would he?

[gator]

Oh, there go those darn Israelis again, not dying on command. Don't they know that when Ahmedinejad said that he was going to wipe them off of the Earth, he meant it as a metaphor? If he really meant to unleash another Holocaust, he'd never had denied that the last one happened, now would he?

So what if he wipes them off them off the face of the earth? What is it to you as an American? There are always people dying over there. Millions of Christians are dying in Africa as I speak and it is not effecting us very much, is it?

The problem is that if the Israelis bastards go and start killing everybody again we will get drawn into it because they will be using our weapons. Besides every stupid American politician and their little brown dog says that the security of Israel is the most important thing in the world, no matter how much money or lives of our son and daughters it will cost.

Taking sides with the goddamn Israelis mean perpetual war for the US. I am against it. They are a terrorist nation and we shouldn't be in the business of supporting terrorist nations, should we?

[LogansPapa]

The problem is that if the Israelis bastards go and start killing everybody again we will get drawn into it because they will be using our weapons.

That's it folks - like it or not.

[Molon Labe]

Didn't the NIE already conclude that Iran isn't a nuclear threat to anyone?

[Sonnabend]

So what if he wipes them off them off the face of the earth? What is it to you as an American?

..so a second Holocaust is of no concern to you.

[gator]

..so a second Holocaust is of no concern to you.

There are only 300 million Americans in the world and 6.5 billion of you other mutherfrackers. We can't protect everybody in the world. Some of you are going to have to protect yourselves. Since the goddamn Israelis have one of the strongest economies in the world then they can look after themselves.

We will go broke protecting everybody including giving up the precious lives of our sons and daughters.

Piss on the Israelis and everybody else in the Middle East. Let then fend for themselves.

[Sonnabend]

So what if he wipes them off them off the face of the earth? What is it to you as an American?

So if Israel is wiped out, you wouldn't care. Just trying to see if I read you right.

Is the above your actual position? Yes or no.

And may I remind you that many of these "mutherfrackers:" have shed precious blood protecting and helping the US.

Something you seem to forget.

[cclanofirish]

So what if he wipes them off them off the face of the earth? What is it to you as an American? There are always people dying over there. Millions of Christians are dying in Africa as I speak and it is not effecting us very much, is it?

The problem is that if the Israelis bastards go and start killing everybody again we will get drawn into it because they will be using our weapons. Besides every stupid American politician and their little brown dog says that the security of Israel is the most important thing in the world, no matter how much money or lives of our son and daughters it will cost.

Taking sides with the goddamn Israelis mean perpetual war for the US. I am against it. They are a terrorist nation and we shouldn't be in the business of supporting terrorist nations, should we?

The USA if I recall practices capitalism...Israel receives aid from the USA, there is no denial of that fact, but they use that money to buy from private companies specializing in war machines. Its capitalism at its finest. :D

[Nubs]

Didn't the NIE already conclude that Iran isn't a nuclear threat to anyone?

OK her we go, NIE stated belief that program was idled in 2003. As there was no proof that they had dismantled the program. NIE also did not rule out parelell programs that may be continuing.

1. Iran is enriching to much higher purity than is needed for power generation purposes. The high purity uranium has only one purpose.

2. Iran has developed and is continuing to enhance long range ballistic missles capable of nuclear payload

3. Crazy Mo has called for the elimination of Isreal several times.

4. IAEA announced last week that AQ Khan had blueprints for miniturized nuclear warheads needed for ballistic missles.

5. AQ Khan is known to have had dealings with Lybia, Syria, Iran, and N.Korea.

Now, what again about the NIE???