Neocons to Obama: Keep Quiet on Flotilla, Or Iran Gets It

Michael Rubin:

If Obama decides it is in America’s interest to make an example of Israel after the Gaza flotilla incident in order to win goodwill in Cairo, Beirut, Tehran, and Ankara, then he must also recognize that the leadership in Jerusalem is going to conclude that it cannot trust the United States to safeguard its security, and that therefore it must take matters into its own hands on any number of issues, not the least of which is Iran’s nuclear program. In effect, if the White House decides to come down hard on Israel now, it is the same as giving a green light for Israel to strike Iran.

Rubin quickly claims that he is not engaging in “advocacy” for an Israeli strike on Iran, just as he claims to be opposed to military against Iran in general. (The real question, of course, is not whether bombing Iran would be his first choice but whether he prefers war to containment and deterrence as a last resort). But the threat is clear: keep quiet on the flotilla attack, or Israel starts a war with Iran — thereby destabilizing the region and jeopardizing the U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The obvious word for this is “blackmail”.

Daniel Luban

Daniel Luban is a postdoctoral associate at Yale University. He holds a PhD in politics from the University of Chicago and was formerly a correspondent in the Washington bureau of Inter Press Service.

SHOW 18 COMMENTS

18 Comments

  1. If Israel does use its nuke from those subs in the Persian Gulf, it will be with US permission, and yet there are US and NATO troops downwind of the targets in Iran. That should lead to some interesting fallout (pun intended).

  2. The US caved in the face of massive global outrage at the UNSC and approved the UN resolution condemning Israeli aggression and violation of international law on the high seas.

  3. Pat wrote, “And Israel, which has been pushing strongly for these sanctions, has effectively undermined the chances that they will be instituted.”

    That may well be just what they want. Sanctions means sitting on your hands, waiting for something to happen. No sanctions and an international system in tatters allows assertive clear thinking actors like Israel to act with impetuous impunity. The distance (between US/Isr.) provides the space to condemn without consequences.

  4. US vetos a strong resolution against Israel so Israel does not attack Iran. As a result, reducing chances of passing sanctions against Iran.We can conclude that Iran has used US veto power and Israel gaza blockade to duck a war and sanctions.

    PERSIAN ARE USING US STRONGEST TOOLS AGAINST THEM.

    How interesting!!

  5. This is an clear and overt admission by Mr Rubin that the attacks on Iran by Israel is being sought from US to enhance /consolidate and increase Israeli security. If this claims were made by someone else tomorrow he or she would be called antisemite.

    Another interesting point only a fascist or nazi or Devil could make that he is making is that a guy can beat the shit out of another guy and if the sheriff complained then first guy would go and beat the shit of a third guy or force the sheriff to do it since the second guy and third guy are supportive of each other.

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