Netanyahu's Failures Endanger Israel
Sefi Rachlevsky, Haaretz | February 22, 2012
Defense Minister Ehud Barak has three conditions for war: it must delay Iran’s nuclear program; there must be minimal harm to Israel; and it must receive US and international support. ++ The Netanyahu government has had 20 months to prepare the home front but has not even built a respectable fire service. ++ Netanyahu is seen by Obama as seeking to ruin the Democrats’ reelection bid with an Iran war. ++ He is also endangering the US relationship by undermining democracy and increasing the size of the illegal outpost in Migron.
Europe’s most powerful leaders are now aligned with the Republicans on major international issues. ++ European states disagree with Obama on the appropriateness of his stimulus package. ++ In opposing the quantitative easing program, Romney and Gingrich align with a tight European monetary policy. ++ Europe would benefit from Mr Romney’s opposition to reducing America’s military footprint anywhere. ++ The question of how to deal with the recession is a European question that the American people will also vote on in November.
Arab-Israeli tensions are being played out by citizen hacktivists on both sides. ++ If a hacker causes real physical damage to critical systems it could quickly involve governments in the real world. ++ There is no operations center that a nation can call to compel another nation’s citizens to stop online attacks. ++ Washington and Moscow are beginning to explore using their direct channels to discuss cyber concerns. ++ Any international cooperation could encourage financial damages or outside monitoring of internet traffic for non-compliance.
Russia hopes to gain benefits from mediating the Iran dispute. ++ Historically, there has always been conflict between Russia and Iran. ++ Due to this past animosity, the notion of Russia being Iran’s ally sounds strange to most Russians. ++ Russia views Iran as a former empire reaffirming itself as a regional player. ++ Being close neighbors, Russians do not wish to see Iranian nuclear weapons. ++ Russia believes that diplomacy and integrating Iran into the international system is the only way to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
Isolated and struggling from devastating sanctions, Iran is now giving signs of renewed interest in diplomacy. ++ The regional balance of power has shifted since Arab countries are unafraid to condemn Iran, and Syria is weakened from within. ++ Iran cannot obtain credit for critical investment in its energy sector, and its currency is hugely devalued. ++ Israel is more likely to give sanctions and diplomacy a chance due to Iran’s position. ++ This is the moment to engage Iran and seek a diplomatic solution.
