Obama to meet Netanyahu at White House on March 5

krishna,

but maybe Obama will explain (again) to N, why a military attack on Iran would have disastrous consequences.

Yes. in fact, I can think of only one thing with wrost consequences...

Jack,

I've been thinking it's all cordinated saber-rattling anyway

I'm not so sure anymore, tbh.

Brinksmanship

I'm going to Tzipi with that one!

Jack,

I adore Obama.

He's been doing something right (regarding Israel), as he continues to grow on many Israelis. I wont go as far as saying he's adored but certainly many are warming up to him, his positions. in particular, with respect to the the I/P conflict, and what the WH has done (to date) regarding Israel's security in general. as far as despising Bibi (in Israel) - we still have a long way to go, too long maybe.

krish:

I've been thinking it's all cordinated saber-rattling anyway.

So nobody has to explain anything to anybody.

That's been my take on the situation for some time now.

Most of the discussions of this on NV seem to be based on the assumption that if Netanyahu threatens to attack Iran-- well, then of course it will happen. And ditto for the Iranians.

This sort of bluster by politicians, but seems to be especially intense in the Middle east.

I think, though, that the Israelis have a special reason in this case. I think that since the idea of a major war is not something the western powers want (I don't about their position on this, but probably the Russians and Chinese don't want a major war there either)., the Israelis are trying to frighten them by hinting that they well may be crazy enough to do it. The hope is that the western powers, fearful of an Israeli attack, will then take much stronger action to avoid one by upping the pressure on Iran.

I adore Obama.

He's been doing something right (regarding Israel), as he continues to grow on many Israelis. I wont go as far as saying he's adored but certainly many are warming up to him, his positions. in particular, with respect to the the I/P conflict, and what the WH has done (to date) regarding Israel's security in general.

There's a commonly held misconception that many Americans have-- that Obama is "anti-Israel"-- or even that he is "the most anti-Israel president ever". After doing a little research, it seems that's not true. In fact, i believe his actual positions on things like settlements and the so-called "'67 borders" haven't changed from that of previous recent presidents.

So where does that notion come from? Well, its all over the right wing blogoshere, and I'm pretty sure that Fox news is putting forth that position as well.

Jack,

if that hasn't started to dawn on Netanyahu and the saner factions of Likud.

That would be bad news if it did...

krishna,

the Israelis are trying to frighten them by hinting that they well may be crazy enough to do it.

The mad dog theory. actually more than just a theory - Olmert did exactly that in the 2nd Lebanon war. we paid a heavy price and it didn't look great at the time, but for those, few scoreboard watchers - the Northern border has never been as quite as it is now, and since the end of that war. Nasrallah (to this day) is still hiding in a bunker, only to go out once or twice a year to rile the crowds, remind them of that "divine victory". even then they mainly see him on fancy, HD big screens...

If you're leading Israel, you have to know that someday you may have to back up your own version of the dog has gone mad. not just in theory. I have my doubts regarding Bibi and whether he's got the stomach for it. I had none when it came to Sharon, Olmert, and Tzipi as well, for that matter. not to mention Begin, Rabin.

U.S visit cant come soon enough. Bibi's news conference today was @!$%#ing embarrassing.

Netanyahu: situation in my office is painful in wake of Eshel affair

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the situation in his bureau in the wake of the Natan Eshel affair is "painful, difficult in terms of human relations, uncomfortable and unpleasant."

Hendel tendered his resignation on Monday. Eshel, Netanyahu's bureau chief who was the subject of the sexual harassment allegations, has already resigned. Hauser is also expected to step down shortly.

The mad dog theory. actually more than just a theory - Olmert did exactly that in the 2nd Lebanon war. we paid a heavy price and it didn't look great at the time, but for those, few scoreboard watchers - the Northern border has never been as quite as it is now, and since the end of that war. Nasrallah (to this day) is still hiding in a bunker, only to go out once or twice a year to rile the crowds, remind them of that "divine victory". even then they mainly see him on fancy, HD big screens...

If I remember correctly. Nasrallah said that he would come to the aid of the Palestinians if Israel attacked Gaza (or something like that?). But later on, when Operation cast Lead took place, he didn't lift a finger. And I believe that was a result of lessons learned during the Lebanon war(?)

krishna,

And I believe that was a result of lessons learned during the Lebanon war(?)

Pretty much, yeah.

And I believe that was a result of lessons learned during the Lebanon war(?)

Pretty much, yeah.

It is sad that Israel had to pay such a heavy price in terms of soldiers' lives lost-- but it probably prevented much heavier future loss of life by intimidating Hezb'Allah.

Report: U.S asked Russia to warn Iran of 'last chance' to avoid military strike

According to the Russian newspaper, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asked her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in New York on Monday to tell Tehran that it has one last chance to solve the conflict peacefully by making progress in the talks with the P5+1 group - United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany. Otherwise, an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities will occur within months, the diplomats said.

Hmm..Brinksmanship.

His former former chief of staff,

I just noticed I did that. A typo, but accurate, since his former apparently just got canned for sexual harassment.