"Tension between Israel and the United States over how to deal with Iran's nuclear program resurfaced Monday, as Washington rebuffed calls to set "red lines" for action. Both say they are determined to stop Iran developing nuclear arms but Tehran continues to defy international pressure and there are increasing signs of disagreement over tactics and timetables. US President Barack Obama has made preventing weapons proliferation the centerpiece of his foreign policy and has pledged that the United States will prevent Iran joining the nuclear club. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who regards the alleged Iranian bomb program as an existential threat to his country, fears Tehran may be on the brink of nuclear "break-out capacity."" The Australian
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I hear that Ehud Barak has changed his mind about Iran, and that is no longer "on board" with Bibi over the issue of whether or not to "go it alone" in an attack on Iran. Bibi in his arrogance has believed that "America can be pushed." It developed that BHO cannot be "pushed" on this and it looks like Obamna will be narrowly re-elected. Martin Dempsey et all have been good at delivering that message while BHO denies the firmness of his true position. Barak is a practical man. He will adapt to the notion that the Iranians ARE rational enough for deterrence to work, deterrence backed by a conttinuing ability to transform Iran into a parking lot if a real threat develops against the US and its interests, The existence of Israel is a self-assigned interest of the US. Bibi or the next Israeli PM will have to live with that. Israel's "red lines" mean little. Israel lacks the capability to do sufficient damage to Iran's facilities to make a difference for the future of the ME. pl
