Writing in the Washington Post, Former UN Ambassador John R. Bolton suggests that an Israeli attack aimed at the eradication of Iran’s emergent nuclear capacity is a reasonable proposition. And just yesterday, Vice President Joe Biden told George Stephanopoulos that such a strike was within Israel’s sovereign power even if it was not entirely in line with US policy. What is going on here?
First, the idea that American political leaders and opinion makers on both sides of the aisle are comfortable with even suggesting this kind of proxy warfare is morally reprehensible. If bombing Iran is such a great idea, then we should do it ourselves. And if we know that it would be misguided for us to do, then we ought not to invite others to do it for us.
Second, the notion that such an attack would not immediately jeopardize American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan is inane. So to the extent that an Israeli strike would widen our wars in the region, it’s not even an effective use of the morally offensive proxy that these guys seem to embrace.
Third, no matter how much it bothers, me or anyone else, the notion that the world will eventually have to live with a nuclear Iran is a reasonable proposition in and of itself. Not because that’s the way it ought to be, but simply because it is the nature of all technological capacity to diffuse to ever-wider audiences. Think gunpowder between the 16th and 18th centuries.
So in light of all this, I ask you: Should Israel bomb Iran?
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted July 6, 2009 at 11:45 am
It should not. The risk vs. reward isn’t worth it.
posted July 6, 2009 at 12:15 pm
No.
John Bolton is still a fool.
Joe Biden said nothing at all.
As long as Israel has nuclear weapons and fails to make peace with its neighbors, there will be strong incentives for Iran and the Arab states to consider having their own nuclear weapons. Israel needs to make peace with the rest of its neighbors.
posted July 6, 2009 at 5:38 pm
An Israeli attack on Iran would be insane. It would ignite a much larger war and of course we would be drawn into it spending billions and billions more dollars that we do not have on another stupid conflict. Innocent people would die, hatred for the US and Israel would increase. There is not ONE good thing that would come of this.
Only a fool like Bolton would suggest such madness. Iran is not a threat to Israel. Israel has about 400 nukes and would obliterate Iran if they launched one against Israel. (Iran’s leaders may be evil but they are not fools.)
posted July 6, 2009 at 6:50 pm
It was a very different situation when Israel bombed the Iraqi nuclear research facility in 1981. There was a real potential threat to Israel, but the US had sufficient influence in the region to keep the lid on retaliation against Israel, the US, and the rest of the Western world.
This time is different. Iran’s capacity for retaliation for the strike is tremendous. They can quite easily block 1/4 to 1/3 of the world’s oil supply. Do you suppose we wouldn’t notice that?
I don’t think of Iran’s leaders so much as evil as venal. Maybe there is some real concern for adhering to a “true” practice of Islam. I doubt. I think they simply need an enemy to get their own people to tolerate them, and Israel is only too happy to play that role. But whatever we make of the justice of the situation, the risk in allowing Israel to take this course would be a grave danger to the rest of the world–and ultimately accomplish nothing for Israel.
posted July 7, 2009 at 1:16 am
Iran would never fire on Israel, but like they’ve done in Iraq, they would supply terrorist groups with the supplies needed to nuke israel. A holocaust survivor once said, when somebody says they’re going to kill you, believe them. Iran has threatened Israel with destruction, an attack may be the only option for Israel
posted July 7, 2009 at 10:47 am
how can israel live with iran getting a nuke?
not knowing day to day when some iatola decides
to push the botton.you got to be kidding.
who can live like this?
NO ONE!there is your answer.
talk about green lights or red lights,like obama
dose six thousend miles away in the white house.
posted July 7, 2009 at 10:51 am
yeh bomb them!
any one has a better idea?
posted July 7, 2009 at 5:07 pm
It was Iran’s former nuclear negotiator and current parliament speaker Ali Larijani who stated:
“It’s not logical for a country to put the fate of its nation at the disposal of another country even if it’s a friend.”
If the U.S. bombs Iran, success is probably assured. If Israel bombs Iran yet fails to derail their weapons program, what will that mean for the balance of power in the middle east? Or should Israel simply nuke Iran?
posted July 8, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I live down the street, I do not like you or you way of life. I have a strong belief that when I kill you and your children that some fantastic miracle will take place on earth. I have said in public I will kill you and you children. You have been told by police that I have a machine gun with no bullets. Now you have been told the bullets are coming with a courier from a gun shop but do not know when. I am Iran and the other person is Israel. What do you do?
posted July 31, 2009 at 10:52 pm
It’s pretty hilarious if you think Israel bombing Iran is a good idea.
It’s also pretty hilarious if you even support Israel OR Iran’s leadership at this point. Both have committed human rights violation after violation. The United States as well for helping fund Israel. Also the US and Iran need to grow up and stop acting like bratty children and make amends. Supporting Iranian protests and freedoms, the Palestinians right to exist alongside Israel, and putting a stop to American imperialism are the only options.
posted September 27, 2009 at 2:11 am
What is Israel waiting for? Isn’t the last speech by the Iranian president to erase the Jewish people from history enough? All Israel needs to do is remove the threat by hitting key targets only with the technology to produce the deadly weapons. These arabs are ruthless terrorists and waiting too long will just prolong the inevitable and then the USA will be forced to step in.
Israel, please be smart and take this threat very seriously!!!
posted December 3, 2009 at 1:49 am
I do not understand the logic of ‘I can handle nuclear bombs but you cannot!’ Unless we come out clearly once and for all and tell Iran that it is inferior to Israel (+200 nukes), I do not see why they can’t own one. The US and Russia have had them for long without using them! (Oooops! correction,the US has used two of them!).
Just assure Iran MAD(mutual assured destruction), otherwise what’s the logic of Israel considering ‘tactical nukes’ to stop Iran? That is exactly why they are going to make their own! No nation should live at anothers whims period!
posted March 19, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Peoples dont realise what is happening in Iraq and what was the Bush plan.Guys go and do the job in 8 to 10 months time our troops will be back home.Instead of 8-10 months it is now 8 years and NO VICTORY at all.One of” Bush the shoes” partner Tony Blair has said”Iran is not Iraq, before attacking Iran dont think one,two or tree times but think 10 times and I am quite sure he knew very well what he was talking about.Israel has done lots of atrocities and crimes against Arab peoples specially wife and children.Dont make mistake they will have to pay a very heavy price for what they have done.They like it or not Iran will have the BOMB.There is no need to drop the bomb on them but the trauma knowing that Iran possess the bomb will be more than sufficient to distroy them.