'Bibi can take US into war with Iran'

Press TV, Mon Nov 8, 2010 6:43PM

Former CIA member and counterterrorism expert Michael Scheuer A former CIA member says the Israeli premier can take US into war with Iran but Washington is not prepared for such a confrontation.

US Republicans, riding a wave of economic discontent, took over the House of Representatives in mid-term polls, dealing a heavy blow to President Barack Obama.

Analysts say control of the House will now give Republicans enough power to slam the brakes on Obama's agenda.

“On Iran, there's no difference between Democrats and Republicans. They're very comfortable with the idea that a foreign leader like [Benjamin] Netanyahu can take 300 million Americans to war whenever he wants,” said counterterrorism expert Michael Scheuer, who has worked with the Central Intelligence Agency for more than 20 years.

“The election was a disaster in terms of increasing the chances of another war that we don't have the resources to fight, and we won't have the will to win,” Newsmax quoted Scheuer as saying.

He criticized Obama for “saying the country can handle another 9/11 attack,” and added, “It's a foolish comment of a man who is only moderately talented in terms of international affairs.”

“Given the disastrous state of our economy, I'm not so sure we could handle all the effects of an attack.”

Scheuer expressed doubt that gaining control of the US House by Republicans would improve anti-terrorism efforts, adding that “I don't think there's any real difference between Obama and his party and the Republicans.”

“They're still fighting an enemy that doesn't exist, an enemy they believe is attacking us because we have elections…”

Scheuer said no problem would be resolved “until they [US officials] understand we're being attacked because of our foreign policy and what we do in the Muslim world, we're never going to understand the motivation and size of the enemy.”

Regarding the Afghan war, Scheuer said the US forces should already have withdrawn from the country.

“It's very clear that neither the military nor the president nor the Republicans intend to win in Afghanistan,” Scheuer said.

The Republicans, whose public support receded significantly during the presidency of George W. Bush, are now capitalizing on voter discontent with the troubled US economy, a nearly 10-percent unemployment rate, a home foreclosure crisis and the direction of the war in Afghanistan.

The US congressional elections have taken the character of a referendum on the policies of Obama, whose approval rating has hit a record low of 37 percent.

MYA/HGH/AKM

US rejects Israel's call to attack Iran

Press TV, Mon Nov 8, 2010 5:15AM

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to ask the US to threaten Iran with a military operation to stop its civilian nuclear program, Washington rejects Tel Aviv's call.

"I would disagree that only a credible military threat (would convince) Iran to take the actions it needs to end its nuclear weapons program," US Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters on Monday.

According to Gates, non-military action and sanctions against the Islamic Republic are enough to pressure Iran to end its nuclear program.

"We are prepared to do what is necessary. But at this point we continue to believe that the political, economic approach that we are taking is in fact having an impact in Iran," he added.

However, the US defense secretary went on to say that all options remained on the table.

"The president has said repeatedly that when it comes to Iran that all options are on the table and we are doing what we need to do to ensure that he has those options," Gates stated.

He added that the UN Security Council sanctions against Iran were "bringing pressure to bear on the Iran government and getting attention."

"We know that they are concerned about the impact of the sanctions. The sanctions are biting more deeply than they anticipated," he said.

Gates made the remarks a day after the Israeli premier told US Vice President Joe Biden on Melbourne on Sunday that only a credible threat of military action will halt Iran's nuclear plans.

"The only way to make sure that Iran does not arm itself with nuclear weapons is to create a credible threat of a military operation against it if it does not cease the race for nuclear armament," the office of Netanyahu said on Sunday.

The statement comes while Iran has repeatedly said it does not possess nor does is seek to acquire nuclear weapons.

The United States and Israel have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike, based on the allegation that Iran's nuclear work may consist of a covert military agenda.

Iran says its nuclear program is completely peaceful and within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which it is a signatory.

Iranian officials have warned that any act of aggression by the US and Israel against Iran's nuclear facilities would be firmly responded to and could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.

SF/NN/HRF

Israel seeks 'threat' of US war on Iran

Press TV, Sun Nov 7, 2010 7:38PM

 Israel's Premier Benjamin Netanyahu Following a US senator's call for a war on Iran, the Israeli premier plans to ask Washington to threaten Tehran with a military operation to stop its civilian nuclear program.

"The only way to make sure that Iran does not arm itself with nuclear weapons is to create a credible threat of a military operation against it if it does not cease the race for nuclear armament," the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.


The statement comes while Iran has repeatedly said that is does not possess nor does is seek to acquire nuclear weapons -- which is says does not fit in its defense doctrine.

"The economic sanctions may be burdening Iran, but there has been no sign… that it plans to halt its nuclear program because of this," Ynet quoted the statement by Netanyahu's office as saying.

"…only an actual military threat on Iran can prevent us from applying real military force," read the statement, adding that Netanyahu is expected to discuss the issue with US Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday.

On Saturday, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham urged Washington to "destroy" the Islamic Republic through military action.

"Not to just neutralize their nuclear program, but to sink their navy, destroy their air force and deliver a decisive blow to the Revolutionary Guard, in other words neuter that regime," Graham said.

Amid a standoff over Iran's nuclear program, both Tel Aviv and Washington have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the "option" of a military strike, based on the allegation that Iran's nuclear work may consist of a covert military agenda.

The latest threat of a military action was invoked by US Admiral Mike Mullen, who claimed he was ready to start a war if he was convinced it would keep Iran from making a "bomb."

Graham repeated Mullen's threats and said, "The last thing America wants is another military conflict, but the last thing the world needs is a nuclear-armed Iran... Containment is off the table."

This is while President Barack Obama said in September that a military attack by Israel or the US against Iran would not be an "ideal way" to solve the issue of Tehran's nuclear program.

Obama, however, added that the US would keep all options on the table.

In August, Iran complained to the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the General Assembly about US threats of a military attack against the country over its nuclear program and based on "totally false" grounds, vowing a response to any such strikes.

Iran says its nuclear program is completely peaceful and within the framework of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, to which it is a signatory.

Iranian officials have warned that any act of aggression by the US and Israel against Iran's nuclear facilities would be firmly responded to and could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.

MYA/MMN