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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Here's how Israel would destroy Iran's nuclear program
2009-05-17
From Haaretz, which prides itself at being the New York Times of Israel. Have at it, O Rantburg Experts.
Israeli government ministers and Knesset members who will help make the decision about whether to attack Iran's nuclear facilities do not have to wait any longer for a preparatory briefing by the Israel Air Force. They can read about all the possible scenarios for a strike on Iran, and about the potential risks and chances of success, in a study by Abdullah Toukan and Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Never before has such an open, detailed and thorough study of Israel's offensive options been published. The authors of the 114-page study meticulously gathered all available data on Israel's military capabilities and its nuclear program, and on Iran's nuclear developments and aerial defenses, as well as both countries' missile inventory.
"Loose lips..." no longer applies in these degenerate times, it seems.
The Mad Mullahs™ got a courtesy copy by e-mail, I'm sure ...
After analyzing all the possibilities for an attack on Iran, Toukan and Cordesman conclude: "A military strike by Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities is possible ... [but] would be complex and high-risk and would lack any assurances that the overall mission will have a high success rate."
Posted by:trailing wife

#9  See also BHARAT RAKSHAK [India] > WASHINGTON TIMES Artic > CHAPIN: AMERICA'S SURVIVAL AT RISK [Nukulaar Pakis-Taliban, Iran]. 70-80% of Amer's population could be dead within a year iff Iran launches a successful major EMP attack agz the USA from a disguised freighter; + OMAN NAVIGATES BETWEEN IRAN AND ARAB NATIONS. The two Muslim nations are close to signing a REGIONAL SECURITY PACT [read, US MILBASES IN "BASE(S) TOO FAR" QATAR OUTFLANKED].
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2009-05-17 22:25  

#8  but a distinction must be made between a willingness to bankroll terrorists, and an intention to launch nuclear missiles against Israel.

The willingness to bankroll terrorists is a big part the problem. Why go thru the trouble of launching a missile with its undeniable return-to-sender signature when you can simply hand off a nuke to your terr pals to smuggle into, for example, Haifa by sea?
Posted by: SteveS   2009-05-17 19:44  

#7  Israel always has the Samson Option. The B53, A.K.A. the "Crowd Pleaser®".
Posted by: Pliny Whavising4553   2009-05-17 17:13  

#6  Lookee what SAC saved for a rainy day:
The B53 was intended to be retired in the 1980s, reducing the stockpile to 25 weapons by 1987. On 5 August 1987 SAC decided to halt the retirement and return 25 more weapons to service, for 50. Those weapons are no longer in active service, but are retained as part of the "Hedge" portion of the Enduring Stockpile.
Posted by: ed   2009-05-17 13:58  

#5  Here's how Israel would destroy Iran's nuclear program

A few old B53 bombs would do that very well. Wonder if any are still around?
Posted by: ed   2009-05-17 13:51  

#4  The study also analyzes the possible Iranian response to an Israeli strike. In all likelihood the result would be to spur Iranians to spend years and years trying to rebuild it.

There, that's better
Posted by: Parabellum   2009-05-17 09:25  

#3  study by Abdullah Toukan and Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington

ROTFL
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2009-05-17 05:56  

#2  Of course they could just nuke the shite out of Iran but... like that is not cute and PC....
Posted by: 3dc   2009-05-17 03:44  

#1  Well, an armed society is a polite society. Unless one of the parties is stark raving mad. Or has just way too much rhetoric built up to be able to back down and still save face.

And I doubt that the bunker busters are going to do the job. Multiple bunker busters failed to do more than rattle the expensive china in Saddam's bunkers the last couple of go-arounds. I suspect that's why W ordered the development of the mini-nukes with the shaped blast effects.
Posted by: gorb   2009-05-17 03:41  

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