Iran Not Nearly as Crazy as Neocons Claim

President accused of 'outsourcing' action against Iran's nuclear program

(NEWSER) - An Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities now looks inevitable and President Obama appears to be doing his best to speed the process along, Bret Stephens writes in the Wall Street Journal. The president has accepted Iran's offer for talks—despite Iran making it clear that its nuclear program won't be up for discussion—Stephens writes, making it clear to Israel's leaders that he's not playing hardball and they must take action themselves to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran. More»

Jerusalem gets what Obama doesn't, writes ex-UN ambassador

(NEWSER) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates was in Jerusalem recently to dissuade Israel from attacking Iran, but according to John Bolton, "relations between the US and Israel are more strained now than at any time since the 1956 Suez Canal crisis." Israel understands what the Obama administration does not—the Iranians are churning ahead with their weapons program, and no diplomacy can stop them. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Bolton writes with approval that Israel will probably strike "by year's end." More»

(NEWSER) - No matter who wins tomorrow’s presidential election in Iran, the threat of its nuclear program won’t go away, and that’s why Israel should attack sooner rather than later, writes former UN ambassador John Bolton in the Wall Street Journal. Attacking Iran now won’t be safe or easy, but “all scenarios become infinitely more dangerous once Iran has deliverable nuclear weapons.” More»

Iran responds with threat; Tel Aviv worries about US backing

(NEWSER) - Israel has 12 months to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons or risk Tehran’s wrath, a former Israeli defense official said. “The time that is left to be ready is getting shorter all the time,” Shabtai Shavit told the Telegraph. “We should do whatever (is) necessary in case sanctions don’t work. What’s left is military action.” More»

German author banned after new poem lashes Jewish state

(NEWSER) - Controversial German author Günther Grass has been barred from Israel for a new poem sharply criticizing the Jewish state for its secretive nuclear program and its belligerent position on Iran. "If Günther wants to spread his twisted and lying works, I suggest he does this from Iran, where he can find a supportive audience," snapped Israel's Interior Minister Yishai in announcing the ban yesterday. The poem, "What Must Be Said," criticizes what Grass considers Western hypocrisy over Israel's nuclear program, and says the state represents a threat to "fragile world peace," reports the Guardian . More»