Israel preparing for attack on Iran

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Israeli newspaper Haaretz is reporting that Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Siyasa is reporting that "[t]hree Arab states in the Persian Gulf" -- Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates -- "would be willing to allow the Israel Air force to enter their airspace in order to reach Iran in case of an attack on its nuclear facilities... despite their fear of an Iranian response". Al-Siyasa is also reporting that "NATO leaders are urging Turkey to open its airspace for an attack on Iran as well and to also open its airports and borders in case of a ground attack". As well, Britain's Daily Telegraph is reporting that Israel is negotiating with the U.S. to use Iraqi airspace for an attack.

Okay.

What now?

Is war inevitable?

Bush wants it, Israel wants it. Who is to stop them?

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Again, see Sy Hersh's piece at The New Yorker, then also Hersh's appearance on CNN, at both Crooks and Liars and Think Progress. TP: "Hersh says the U.S. has been 'pumping money, a great deal of money, without congressional authority, without any congressional oversight' for covert operations in the Middle East where it wants to 'stop the Shiite spread or the Shiite influence.' Hersh says these funds have ended up in the hands of 'three Sunni jihadist groups' who are 'connected to al Qaeda' but 'want to take on Hezbollah.'"

Needless to say, this is a story to follow closely.

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As for war with Iran: Remember, there may be a revolt brewing in the upper echelons of the U.S. military and, once again, as with Saddam's Iraq in 2002/3, the U.S. seems to be getting the intelligence wrong (or, rather, fixing it according to political will). Bush, Cheney, and the warmongers seem to be doing whatever it takes to build (i.e., fabricate) a case for military action against Iran.