Will Israelis Join the Iran Maneuvers?...............
“Iran's armed forces launched large-scale air defense war games on Sunday to show off the country's deterrence capabilities in the face of pressure from the West over its nuclear program. The display of military muscle comes at a time of rising tension between Iran and six major powers, which fear Tehran's nuclear program is aimed at producing nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this is the program's purpose. Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards and military forces jointly started five days of maneuvers in various parts of the Islamic state, Brigadier General Ahmad Mighani said, according to state television. "It is the biggest war game, which takes place over an area 600,000 sq km (230,000 sq miles). The aim of this war game is to promote military power of the armed forces against any attack," the television quoted Mighani as saying. The United States and Israel, which Iran does not recognize, say they want a diplomatic solution to the nuclear standoff, but refuse to rule out military action if diplomacy fails…….”
One thing about these frequent military maneuvers, about too many maneuvers: they may provide a good screen for the Israeli military to join them. Any bombardment will not be sustained enough do damage to Iran’s facilities. But with the Israeli cabinet an unstable coalition of the willing and some unwilling, a military operation that does not end in a clear disaster may be good for the Likud. Provided that not many planes are shot down.
Then there is the thorny question of which moderate New Middle East Arab state will allow the Israelis to overfly. There really is only one that would give direct access, one were public opinion may be ready now for that eventuality. Unlike other Arab countries, public opinion has been almost drugged in that country anyway. It will be easy to get a fatwa or tow from the tame well-paid house ulema shaikhs supporting whatever the princes want. The vast media in that country, the dominant in the Arab world, is already working overtime to get the public prepared for the eventuality. Unfortunately there is the annoying matter of the Aljazeera channel which will not play the game the way Alarabiya is willing to play.
This is pure speculation, of course....
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