nuclear-news

This week’s visit by the US Secretary of Defence, Leon Panetta, is seen by some as a sign that the US is deeply concerned Israel could abandon the international sanctions regime against Iran and ”go it alone”……

a senior fellow on Middle East policy at the Brookings Institution, Bruce Riedel, said Mr Netanyahu’s description of Iran as a threat to the entire world was overstating its danger. Iran was a dangerous country and a sponsor of terrorism but its military power was tiny when compared with Israel’s, he said. ”Its weapons systems, most of which were bought by the Shah and are in many cases antiques, are slight in comparison to Israel.

”I think when you compare the balance of power, in virtually every field Israel is superior, starting with the fact that Israel has had nuclear weapons for nearly half a century and Iran, despite its claims, is not even close to developing them,” adjunct Professor Riedel said.

He said Israel’s increasing isolation in the face of the revolutions of the Arab Spring, and the recent Palestinian appeal in the UN, had led it to this point…..

http://www.smh.com.au/world/fears-an-excluded-israel-may-strike-irans-nuclear-sites-20111005-1l9m1.html