Monday
Jul062009
Israel Could Launch Pre-emptive Strike Against Iran, Says Foreign Policy Expert
Monday, July 6, 2009 at 5:14PM
By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News
The Israeli militarily may launch preemptive military action against Iran if world leaders fail to act, said David Menashri, Director for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, during a conference call with the Israel Policy Forum.
"[The Israeli government] is unlikely to sit idly by and wait until Iran gains Nuclear capabilities," Menashri said. "This issue is too big for the shoulders of Israel"
The Director stressed that it was important for the rest of the world not to forget about Iran due to the recent decrease in opposition protest.
"Although things on the surface seem calm and quiet, something is really boiling there...while the world is fascinated by the Iranian election process, the nuclear scientists in Iran did not stop their work. The nuclear clock is ticking" he warned.
Menashri suggested that the recent level of political instability may be partially due to the spirit of change surrounding the election of U.S. President Barack Obama.
"Whenever there is a Democrat President with human rights high on his agenda in Washington there are disturbances and riots in Tehran...there is a great appeal in thinking 'Yes we can' too."
The Director added, "The combination of radical ideology on the one hand and nuclear capability and delivery systems on the other is a serious challenge to the region and beyond the region...the solution should be an American lead solution"
Menarshi argued that if Iranian leaders fell under enough pressure "they would choose the survival of the regime" over there nuclear ambitions.
"Iran is a rational country, they have proven again and again, when there was a clash between ideology and interest of the regime, interest won over ideology."
Ultimately, Menashri argued, it is impossible to predict what will happen next in Iran.
"If there is someone that tells you they know what will happen, do not believe him" he said.
The Israeli militarily may launch preemptive military action against Iran if world leaders fail to act, said David Menashri, Director for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, during a conference call with the Israel Policy Forum.
"[The Israeli government] is unlikely to sit idly by and wait until Iran gains Nuclear capabilities," Menashri said. "This issue is too big for the shoulders of Israel"
The Director stressed that it was important for the rest of the world not to forget about Iran due to the recent decrease in opposition protest.
"Although things on the surface seem calm and quiet, something is really boiling there...while the world is fascinated by the Iranian election process, the nuclear scientists in Iran did not stop their work. The nuclear clock is ticking" he warned.
Menashri suggested that the recent level of political instability may be partially due to the spirit of change surrounding the election of U.S. President Barack Obama.
"Whenever there is a Democrat President with human rights high on his agenda in Washington there are disturbances and riots in Tehran...there is a great appeal in thinking 'Yes we can' too."
The Director added, "The combination of radical ideology on the one hand and nuclear capability and delivery systems on the other is a serious challenge to the region and beyond the region...the solution should be an American lead solution"
Menarshi argued that if Iranian leaders fell under enough pressure "they would choose the survival of the regime" over there nuclear ambitions.
"Iran is a rational country, they have proven again and again, when there was a clash between ideology and interest of the regime, interest won over ideology."
Ultimately, Menashri argued, it is impossible to predict what will happen next in Iran.
"If there is someone that tells you they know what will happen, do not believe him" he said.
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