http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/bibi_vs_bam_again_4xA0fRPBeLutNlBq8zZJfL
The time to stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb is
growing short — and so, apparently, are tempers in Jerusalem and
Washington.
On Friday, Israel’s largest newspaper reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got into an angry — and decidedly undiplomatic — shouting match last week with US Ambassador Dan Shapiro. The issue: President Obama’s handling of Iran’s increasingly dangerous nuclear capabilities — and his administration’s mounting criticism of Israel’s complaint that too little is being done about it.
“Time has run out,” Netanyahu reportedly told Shapiro. And when the envoy reminded the PM that Obama had vowed not to let Iran acquire WMDs, Netanyahu replied: “Instead of effectively pressuring Iran, Obama and his people are pressuring us not to attack.”
At that point, the paper reported, “lightning and sparks began to fly.”
Netanyahu’s anger is understandable — and justified. Four months ago, Team Obama assured everyone that negotiations and sanctions would soon bring about a deal that would allay Israel’s fears.
They haven’t: Instead, the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency asserts that Iran’s nuclear program is picking up steam.
Since May, Tehran has more than doubled the number of uranium-enrichment centrifuges in its underground facility, from 1,064 to 2,140.
And it produced another 45 kg of high-grade enriched uranium, bringing the total to 190 kg.
This, despite the sanctions — and multiple UN Security Council resolutions demanding that Iran halt all enrichment.
In short, the IAEA report confirms what Netanyahu has been saying — Obama’s sanctions aren’t working. Or, as GOP nominee Mitt Romney noted in his acceptance speech Thursday, “We’re still talking, and Iran’s centrifuges are still spinning.”
Obama seems dead set against any military hit on Iran — particularly one carried out unilaterally by Israel — until at least after the election. Which may be why Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week that he doesn’t want to be “complicit” if Israel attacks. Dempsey argued that a “premature” strike would undo sanctions.
But, again, the sanctions don’t seem to be having the desired effect anyway.
Most troubling is that Netanyahu has few viable options. An attack most likely won’t destroy Iran’s nuclear program, and a strike that’s publicly opposed by Washington may result in a diplomatic freeze just when Israel needs US help the most. Yet letting Iran proceed apace may be worse.
Of course, it’s not clear how much time really is left. But what’s plain is that Obama has yet to convince the Israeli leader that he’ll stop Iran before it’s too late.
No wonder Netanyahu is nervous.
A lot of other folks, too.
On Friday, Israel’s largest newspaper reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got into an angry — and decidedly undiplomatic — shouting match last week with US Ambassador Dan Shapiro. The issue: President Obama’s handling of Iran’s increasingly dangerous nuclear capabilities — and his administration’s mounting criticism of Israel’s complaint that too little is being done about it.
“Time has run out,” Netanyahu reportedly told Shapiro. And when the envoy reminded the PM that Obama had vowed not to let Iran acquire WMDs, Netanyahu replied: “Instead of effectively pressuring Iran, Obama and his people are pressuring us not to attack.”
AP
Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu’s anger is understandable — and justified. Four months ago, Team Obama assured everyone that negotiations and sanctions would soon bring about a deal that would allay Israel’s fears.
They haven’t: Instead, the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency asserts that Iran’s nuclear program is picking up steam.
Since May, Tehran has more than doubled the number of uranium-enrichment centrifuges in its underground facility, from 1,064 to 2,140.
And it produced another 45 kg of high-grade enriched uranium, bringing the total to 190 kg.
This, despite the sanctions — and multiple UN Security Council resolutions demanding that Iran halt all enrichment.
In short, the IAEA report confirms what Netanyahu has been saying — Obama’s sanctions aren’t working. Or, as GOP nominee Mitt Romney noted in his acceptance speech Thursday, “We’re still talking, and Iran’s centrifuges are still spinning.”
Obama seems dead set against any military hit on Iran — particularly one carried out unilaterally by Israel — until at least after the election. Which may be why Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week that he doesn’t want to be “complicit” if Israel attacks. Dempsey argued that a “premature” strike would undo sanctions.
But, again, the sanctions don’t seem to be having the desired effect anyway.
Most troubling is that Netanyahu has few viable options. An attack most likely won’t destroy Iran’s nuclear program, and a strike that’s publicly opposed by Washington may result in a diplomatic freeze just when Israel needs US help the most. Yet letting Iran proceed apace may be worse.
Of course, it’s not clear how much time really is left. But what’s plain is that Obama has yet to convince the Israeli leader that he’ll stop Iran before it’s too late.
No wonder Netanyahu is nervous.
A lot of other folks, too.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/bibi_vs_bam_again_4xA0fRPBeLutNlBq8zZJfL#ixzz25KoCRhNE
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