Thursday, January 7, 2010
In the Jan. 1 news story "Israel backs U.S. on Iran sanctions," reporter Howard Schneider wrote that an Iranian nuclear strike on Israel is "considered unlikely because of Israel's nuclear deterrent capacity." Considered unlikely by whom? Without citing a source, this statement has no merit.
A nuclear attack by Iran on Israel is quite possible -- so possible that Israel can't take any chances. Iran's leaders have specifically threatened the destruction of Israel. The nuclear deterrent during the Cold War worked because mutually assured destruction meant something to each side, but members of the Iranian leadership have a jihadist mentality. Dying for a "holy" cause, such leaders believe, will give them a space in heaven. Look at the long list of suicide bombers dying in the name of jihad.
Iran is not likely to be deterred from using nuclear force because of Israel's might.
Michael Berenhaus, Potomac
