Ten roads to Israel-Iran war
An Israeli F-15 fighter jet.
February 17th, 2012
09:14 AM ET

Ten roads to Israel-Iran war

Editor’s Note: The following piece, exclusive to GPS, comes from Wikistrat, the world's first massively multiplayer online consultancy.  It leverages a global network of subject-matter experts via a crowd-sourcing methodology to provide unique insights.

Either Israel and the United States are engaged in a brilliant psychological operations campaign against Iran or the two long-time allies really are talking past each other on the subject of Tehran’s reach for a nuclear bomb. Either way, all this Bibi Netanyahu said, Leon Panetta said chatter is producing some truly jangled nerves over in Iran on the subject of Israel’s allegedly imminent attack on that country’s nuclear program facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keeps publicly implying that his nation can’t wait on Iranian events for as long as the Obama administration – with its looming embargo of Iranian oil sales to the West – would like. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta keeps tripping over his own tongue, saying one day that America is doing its best to keep Israel’s attack jets grounded and the next offhandedly remarking to reporters that Tel Aviv is inevitably going to pull that trigger sometime this spring.

Again, as psyop campaigns go, this is brilliant, because it not only keeps the Iranians nervous and guessing, it forces them out into the diplomatic open with all manner of implausible counter-threats that reveal their increasing desperation.

Stipulating all this brinkmanship - coordinated or not - this week’s Wikistrat crowd-sourced analysis exercise involves imagining the range of possible pathways to an Israel-Iran war.  We don’t offer odds here. We just try to cover a wide array of possible vectors toward the trigger-pulling point.

1) Duh!  Haven’t you noticed that Israel and Iran are already conducting a covert war of cyberattacks, assassinations, etc.?

Fair enough.  Israel attacked Iran with the Stuxnet computer virus months ago, and has targeted Iranian scientists since.  Now, we’ve got Iran pulling its usual tactic of hitting Israeli diplomats (or their loved ones) in softer target zones (Georgia, India, Thailand).  So why not just admit that the war has begun? All it takes is one side or the other escalating to missile or air strikes.

Remember when the Israeli assassination squad got caught on camera in Dubai a while back? Just plug that one in, along with a show trial of the “Jewish criminals” in Tehran, and we’re good to go.  Same would hold for the right attempt on a senior Israeli leader inside Israel.  Moreover, as Israel steps up its cyber campaign, eventually we could see some real-world damage unfolding, forcing Tehran’s hand (or vice versa).

In such a tit-for-tat dynamic, with both sides ratcheting up the threats seemingly every week, leaders are - either inadvertently or purposefully - tying their hands for when the undeniable “disaster” arises and when the fear of “losing face” becomes the ultimate triggering dynamic in a region where keeping face is near everything.

2) Contentious parliamentary election in Iran + peaking of regime infighting = senior defector with “smoking gun” evidence of weaponization

Iran’s parliamentary elections are just days away, so simply imagine the same level of electoral fraud as the 2009 presidential election, cue up the street protests to be violently crushed, and then let the factional infighting begin inside the increasingly beleaguered Iranian regime.  Between the looming embargo and ally Bashar al-Assad’s coming fall in Syria, Tehran is feeling alone these days. Another round of the Green Movement could easily trigger some house-cleaning purges within the government, as true believers weed out the wavering souls.

At that point, all we need to start a war is the right disgruntled (and/or virtuous) official to smuggle out, Wikileaks-style, some bulletproof evidence that Tehran is much closer to weaponizing its nuclear capacity than previously estimated. That alone might be enough for Israeli hawks to act.

A variant on this scenario is that Iran actually engineers a fake whistle-blower to fool the West into thinking it’s already got a nuclear deterrent in hand - however crude. Don’t think Iran would try something that risky? Just remember how well Saddam Hussein spoofed the U.S. intelligence community regarding his own Weapons of Mass Destruction capacity in the run-up to the U.S. invasion in 2003.

3) The path to war runs through Lebanon

Iran, sensing that its Syrian supply line to Hezbollah could disappear at any moment, decides to pre-emptively activate its co-religious Shiite militia in an attack on Israel’s northern border towns.  With upwards of 200,000 Iranian missiles already in hand, Hezbollah could put on quite a show, triggering a massive retaliation campaign from Israel designed to temporarily reduce the militia’s firepower capacity.

With guns already blazing and Israelis already dying, Netanyahu could decide he’s already facing the Iranian counterattack scenario, so why not pursue the air attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities at the same time?

4) The path to war runs through the Sinai

This would involve the same basic decision dynamic on Israel’s part: If we’re going to suffer the anticipated blowback from attacking Iran anyway, then we might as well get our attack on its nuclear program in as well.

Here, the fear is of a “second front” (or third, if we’re counting Hezbollah in the north) on Israel’s east, when Egypt’s ascendant Muslim Brotherhood decides to placate popular anti-Israeli fervor there by publicly disavowing the Camp David accords and moving toward a remilitarization of the Sinai Peninsula, raising the specter of a super-empowered Hamas in the Gaza Strip wreaking havoc from the rear during any fight with Iran. All Israel needs to act are enough signs of that scenario unfolding and the 1967 War instinct kicks in - as in, in the face of a ganging-up scenario, it’s better to land the first blows.

5) The “road to Damascus” scenario, take one

Turkey and Iran are locked into an increasingly open rivalry throughout the region over who will win the leadership role thanks to the unfolding Arab Spring. Frankly, Turkey’s on a roll, as it’s eating Iran’s lunch across North Africa and now threatens to add a post-al-Assad Syria to its pool of Islamist protégés.

The scenario here involves al-Assad falling so fast that Iran panics over Turkey’s expanding sphere of influence and ruptures its ties with Ankara.  Sensing a golden opportunity of divided ranks and diverted attentions, Israel strikes Iran.

6) The “road to Damascus” scenario, take two

Syria dissolves into such a cauldron of civil war that Turkey, Israel and Iran all end up fighting each other there via proxies.  As the spillover threatens Israel more directly through a shared - and contested border - Tel Aviv decides it might as well take care of business directly with Iran.

7) The road to war runs through Bahrain 

Iran, desperate to divert attention elsewhere, does its best to re-ignite a Shiite rebellion inside Bahrain, forcing the Saudis to send troops yet again and shifting the international community’s attention back to the evil of Sunni autocracy there.  The Saudis then may green light Israel’s long-standing offer to attack Iran through Saudi airspace.

8) Iran actually goes through with its Strait of Hormuz threat

The Iranian navy starts laying mines under the cover of night, forcing a countering U.S. Navy de-mining operation. With tension ratcheted, Iranian fast boats start harassing U.S. ships in a scene right out of the legendary Operation Millennium Challenge war game conducted by the Defense Department in 2002 – and made so famous by Malcolm Gladwell in his best-selling book, Blink.  Fast-forward through a series of bad choices on both sides and we’ve got a shooting war that Israel joins.

9) The always anticipated - but rarely delivered - “October surprise”!

Israel simply plans its attack for the eve of the U.S. presidential election, knowing President Barack Obama’s hands will be tied. The Pentagon’s many China hawks, eager to test out their new high-tech AirSea Battle Concept, readily accept the challenge, sensing a golden opportunity to signal strategic intent - and capabilities - to Beijing.

10) Israel takes the high (altitude) road and “nukes” Iran first 

No, we’re not talking actual strikes with nuclear bombs.  Instead, in a bold step, Israel’s triggers a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) by detonating a nuclear device over Iran. Whatever facilities in Iran come under its line-of-sight radiation blast suffer a permanent shorting-out electrical effect.  While the impact on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities wouldn’t be decisive, Tehran’s ability to control its own population would be temporarily devastated, possibly opening the door for internal rebellion.

But more to the point, Israel’s attack would be a declaration of its nuclear status, replete with the ability to deliver those weapons along strategic lines (see Israel’s recent testing of its Jericho III ballistic missiles).  This would be Netanyahu’s decision to reveal to the world the true extent of Israel’s significant nuclear arsenal.

That’s Wikistrat's “wisdom of the crowd” for this week.

Now tell us which path you find most plausible, or what other scenarios you can envision in the comments section below. And be sure to check out more at Wikistrat.com, a cutting-edge global consultancy.

Topics: Iran • Israel • Military

soundoff (137 Responses)
  1. jal

    Iran will shoot first, once the Syrian govt begins to collapse. However, the people of Iran will have to rise up for any exchange to be meaningful.

    February 17, 2012 at 9:05 am | Reply
    • floridian

      Why Iran prepare to go to war against Israel????? What is there for Iran????/Ahmadanijad needs to relax and think about nightmare that may happeneds to his country and people. Civilians is not at fault that Ahmadasnijad is a total moran.

      February 18, 2012 at 2:47 pm | Reply
      • USAf

        ahmadinejad is not a moron...but he is genius...he will not start the war..but if american n israel start the war...ahmadinijad will show what she got to the world...

        February 22, 2012 at 9:09 pm |
    • Popeye

      the ten routes are good description - but over all, although Iran will not be able to survive the war, however its long lasting impact will be felt by the Americans and Israelis. The Americans are are already carrying the burden of failed wars on Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. None of the countries have been stabilized and the writing is clear on the wall. A permanent failure in Iran is in the foresee. The nuclear facility will be destroyed but insurgents, counter terrorism and guerrilla war will not end an will give endless sleep nights to Israel and to American Civilians as well as deployed armies. The reason the puppet govts in all these places are not being able to hold out without American Army. As for Saudi Arabia-They will loose all there popular Salafi movement with most of the Islamic world already putting it hard on the ruling monarchy over there stand on the American conspiracy and subsequent demand to send in troops to protect and stop Israeli expansion in Jerusalem, as they have done in Bahrain. So altogether it is not a such good proposal to America. This will only give more fuel to China for its expansion program as well allow Russia to build up more responsive bases in its ally countries with more war being seen in Chechen.

      March 3, 2012 at 4:28 am | Reply
  2. krm1007

    India is playing a double game in Iran with USA.

    February 17, 2012 at 9:26 am | Reply
    • Jay

      Everybody is missing the 10 ton elephant in the room I know that Russia will never let Syria fall it hold russia's on military port in the middle east and they know if there is an regime change they will be kicked out and never be able to get back in. In turn I believe Russia will support Iran if it comes to a shooting war it would benifit them as a proterctor of all the regimes in the middle east
      who fear interfearance form the us I also believe China will do the same as retalation for the us meddling in Tiawan and tibet. ie. why they allow North Korea to do as they please

      February 22, 2012 at 12:54 am | Reply
  3. saleh

    isreal should remember 2006 lebenon war...

    February 17, 2012 at 9:30 am | Reply
    • j. von hettlingen

      True, Ehud Olmert became terribly unpopular und didn't seek re-election as party leader and resigned from his position as Prime Minister immediately after a new Kadima leader was named.

      February 17, 2012 at 1:07 pm | Reply
    • dov

      in the lebanon war hizballah lost more than five times the military personnel than both israeli civilians and soldiers. if you think such a petty band of militant islamists can survive conflict israel for more than half a year,you are very much mistaken.

      February 17, 2012 at 6:26 pm | Reply
    • Thinker23

      The truth is that during the Lebanon war Israel treated the Lebanese with silk gloves. It could afford it. This, however, will not be the case with the Iran war.

      February 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm | Reply
    • dennisanner

      Israel remember the last time they fought in lebanon. This time it will be the end for Hezbollah. This time the people of many countries in the area will feel the power of israel.

      February 18, 2012 at 12:18 pm | Reply
    • ina gordon

      What exectly to remember?

      February 18, 2012 at 2:32 pm | Reply
    • sinner/repentive

      Oh they will

      February 18, 2012 at 9:11 pm | Reply
    • melvinslizard

      I'm sure they have souvenirs

      February 29, 2012 at 5:58 pm | Reply
  4. Angelo

    The Israelis and Americans are giving Iran very precious time......I guess the Israelis should have finished the job by now, the Iraqi or Syrian way....

    February 17, 2012 at 9:41 am | Reply
    • arezoo

      if you were an Iranian people, and loved ur beautiful country, do you think the same? don't judge before knowing all the truth
      what u heard in the news is only apart of what really happen in the world

      February 19, 2012 at 3:36 am | Reply
  5. Hamid

    Agree with @Jal. Iran could strike first and HUGE but not necessarily against Israel directly.

    February 17, 2012 at 9:56 am | Reply
    • sinner/repentive

      Hamid, Remember you said that !

      February 18, 2012 at 9:33 pm | Reply
    • melvinslizard

      Striking first and WINNING are two different things, Hamid. Tell Iran to jump if they're feelin' froggy. I don't think Israel is particularly concerned about going toe to toe with you.

      February 29, 2012 at 5:02 pm | Reply
  6. 100% ETHIO STRONGER!

    War will cause Recession;
    Recession will cause bad economy;
    Bad Economy will cause unemployment;
    Unemployment will cause Companies to layoff people, more empty Houses, rise of domestic crimes, Mental illness,...

    February 17, 2012 at 10:08 am | Reply
    • Jay

      Where have you been the last 10 years? anyways...... History repeating it's self. If this goes nuclear or not , all of the treaties between both factions will start WWIII. So who cares about the economy.

      February 17, 2012 at 10:50 pm | Reply
  7. john

    we need peace not war. Almighty God give to mankind peace, the peace the world can not give

    February 17, 2012 at 10:37 am | Reply
    • GokTurk

      Dont you understand that through suffering we learn that true peace is realtive and the more suffering becomes our norm the more peace we will eventually attain in eternity?

      February 20, 2012 at 11:55 pm | Reply
  8. Oscar Brewer, Jr.

    Seems like we are on a path to world destruction, either biblical or mayan.

    February 17, 2012 at 10:55 am | Reply
  9. Clear Image

    All baseless illusions, any unwise action could challenge the MUSLIMS globally, hence starting a World War. As west and u.s is facing its natural death economically, so while drowning they wanted the whole world to drown as well...but, now East is emerging with China at front and rest of the world is mature enough

    February 17, 2012 at 11:05 am | Reply
  10. Nava

    Most probably the war between isreal and iran. The countries will supports the both countries(US,russia and china). Better US will see what iran is doing in case the problem occur the should begin, otherwise just leave iran to grow. When war happens the 2012 and 2013 economic of world was worst ever seen because all the countries are belonging to USA. All the problems are from USA side .

    February 17, 2012 at 11:29 am | Reply
    • melvinslizard

      Is the USA responsible for your inability to use the English language?

      February 29, 2012 at 5:32 pm | Reply
  11. ESK

    It's interesting trying to understand the future. What about an 11.th road? Nothing critically happens this spring. There is a growing tension between Iran and the sunni-muslims. Iran will be in growing conflicts by Saudi-Arabia and other neighbour countries and by Taliban and other terror-movements. USA, Europe and even Asia becomes a lot more involved, and the attack against Iran are finally a world-wide matter.

    February 17, 2012 at 11:31 am | Reply
  12. Frank

    I cannot see hostilities breaking out. There are a couple of thousand missiles trained on Israel as we speak. Conceivably it could be reduced to a pile of rubble. Iran of course would also be destroyed.

    February 17, 2012 at 11:49 am | Reply
    • sinner/repentive

      Read your Bible

      February 18, 2012 at 9:14 pm | Reply
      • akabag

        Amen!

        July 3, 2012 at 9:33 pm |
  13. Buzzk

    The time has come to leave Israel to its own devices.
    Israel will make peace and become a friendly neighbor when the US stops support militant zionism.
    When Israelis realize their loud mouthed, eastern bloc fascist leaders are the REAL existential threat to Israel
    Then they will learn diplomacy instead of mossad terrorism.
    END ALL MILITARY SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL!

    February 17, 2012 at 12:08 pm | Reply
    • dov

      wow. you are such an ignorant fool,it would be best if you shut up. militant zionism? please. there is no such thing since th 1940s. fiscism? never existed in my country. every minority has equal rights.

      February 17, 2012 at 6:23 pm | Reply
    • Thinker23

      The ONLY way Israel can make peace UNILATERALLY is to beat the living crap out of its enemies until they'll ask (or rather BEG) for peace. A much bettervalternative to make peace is through PEACE NEGOTIATIONS... but it requires the enemies of Israel to recogni ze the Jewish State and agree to negotiate. Israel already recognized each and every state in the region and offered (many times) to negotiate a peace agreement with them.

      February 17, 2012 at 7:33 pm | Reply
    • sinner/repentive

      Don't sell out Isreal, for oil, Israel has it's own oil and gas reserves. We've put up enough with the Arabs Oil Black Mailings

      February 18, 2012 at 9:17 pm | Reply
    • igbr

      Look like another muslim

      February 21, 2012 at 2:47 pm | Reply
  14. j. von hettlingen

    Despite Netanyahu's word of war with Iran, Israel should be wary of a catastrophic outcome of launching an attack on Iran. Is it capable of do so, unilaterally? Netanyahu is known for his loquaciousnes and populist rhetorics. He rules in a coalition with the nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party and various religious parties. Still haunted by what – the equally garrulous – Ahmadinejad once said about "wiping Israel off the map", Netanyahu has to assure his supporters that Israel can cause severe damage to Iran's nuclear sites and bring about a major delay in the Iranian nuclear project.

    February 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm | Reply
    • Thinker23

      Israel will not use force against Iran unless as a last resort when there will be no other option to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. If it happens, however, Israel will have to use enough force to not only destroy Iranian nuclear facilities but to assure that Iran will not be willing (or able) to launch a counter-attack.

      February 17, 2012 at 7:38 pm | Reply
  15. GOG AND MAGOG FK IRAN

    GOOD I WISH ISRAEL TAKE STEP 10, GET RED OF THOSE EVIL IRANIANS ONCE AFTER ALL, THE SHIIA THUGS IN IRAN , IRAQ , SYRIA AND HIZBOALLAH ARE THE GOG AND MAGOG WAITING TO KILL EVERY BODY

    February 17, 2012 at 2:24 pm | Reply
    • mohammed

      Israel will not stand a chance. If they make a mistake by striking Iran or Lebanon, then that will be the end of them.

      February 17, 2012 at 6:38 pm | Reply
      • floridian

        end of all middle east.

        February 18, 2012 at 2:40 pm |
      • sinner/repentive

        They, (Israel) don't end , READ THE BIBLE

        February 18, 2012 at 9:20 pm |
      • igbr

        Israel already beat up them in 1948- 5 muslim countrys in 1957 Egipit, 1967 Egipit an Siria, 1973 Egipit an Siria, 1981 and so and so look like will be one time more

        February 21, 2012 at 2:51 pm |
      • maryjanebly

        Mohammed, do you really think Israel would lose? WAKE UP MY BROTHER-Remember Israel has nuclear capabilities today and the high tech ability to deliver them in many fashions. Do you really want your people subjected to nuclear disaster? We all know that if Israel was not in possession of these weapons, you Mother Suckers would have already attempted to behead every jew you got to. Mohammed was a fake and a Persian sham on it's people! I'M WAITING FOR YOU TO PUT OUT A FATWA ON ME--LOL come get some. Does Israel threaten to and hope for Iran to be "wiped off the map"? No- Does Israel behead it's enemy on tv? No-Both sides are humans and this is the problem! If religion were wiped off the map, these problems would not exist. JUST SAYING-

        February 23, 2012 at 4:43 pm |
      • melvinslizard

        There you have it, folks. "God" has spoken.

        February 29, 2012 at 6:00 pm |
  16. Robert Cosgrave

    Slight aside: There's much talk of how difficult it is to weaponise a crude nuclear device so it can be delivered by a missile or fighter bomber. But a crude nuclear device would make a super sea mine in the straights of Hormuz. No need to weaponise it all, it could be the size of a shipping container. The use of one, and the threat of others, would close Hormuz somewhat more effectively than a few conventional mines, and make a bomb useable to Iran from the getgo, years before it was formally weaponised.
    Separate point – I'd expect Isreal to strike at Hezbollah first to de fang it a bit. An air campaign against Iran, if sustained beyond one strike, would tie up a lot of planes and make it hard to suppress Hezbollah missile fires after the fact. Of course, easier to de fang Hezbollah if Assad is gone, so I suspect he is the first domino in the chain.

    February 17, 2012 at 2:30 pm | Reply
    • melvinslizard

      Frankly, I think that's a great idea. Iran should create dozens of dirty bombs, then set them off all around their own borders. Talk about a win-win! Bonus: they're almost stupid enough to actually do it! woohoo!

      February 29, 2012 at 6:03 pm | Reply
  17. shahin

    fearmongering propaganda. Don't fall for the same lie again Americans.

    February 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm | Reply
    • sinner/repentive

      Shahin, Broaden your mentality, tread the true Bible, and see how it turns out

      February 18, 2012 at 9:37 pm | Reply
    • melvinslizard

      While you're at it, remind Iran what happened to Saddam when he tried to bluff about wmds. I'm sure we've got another piece of rope around here somewhere, Khomeini.

      February 29, 2012 at 6:04 pm | Reply
      • Meetra

        Khomeini died in 1989, moron.

        March 6, 2012 at 10:00 pm |
  18. Henry1471

    My scenario would have the US advise the Arab League to have the Saudi's blitzkrieg to Damascus to arrest Assad forcing Iran to activate their mutual defense agreement allowing the US to preemptively attack Iran. Israel invades S. Lebanon to create a buffer against short range rockets. They also invade the WB & Gaza. The Egyptian Army is paid to sit it out creating more riots. I read Israel has requested permission from Greece to base IAF assets on Cypress.

    February 17, 2012 at 3:35 pm | Reply
  19. dov

    the guy who wrote these scripts has greatly exaggerated israel's desperation for attacking. nukes? we will never nuke any place in the middle east. it will simply be too dangerous. and he makes it sound as if we are eager to do so.

    February 17, 2012 at 6:19 pm | Reply
    • Thinker23

      Dov... Unfortunately, this is not a question pf choice. When you fight for your life you use any weapon you have.

      February 17, 2012 at 7:43 pm | Reply
  20. Michael Free

    Disgusting war run-up propaganda against a country that has not attacked first. This is the work of the devil. Can't wait for the economic collapse because of the war-mongering. Good decent Jews in America will be fearful because of the havoc Israel has brought to America's shores. Or, how about the murders that will occur that day in Iran and the radiation that will be released. These are all highly probable scenarios. Right now it is all fun and games and blowhard psychopaths sitting behind their keyboards, but on that day all hell will break loose.

    February 17, 2012 at 8:29 pm | Reply
    • Bo

      Michael i can't agree with u more. It makes me sick how war hungry some people are, this is not Call of Duty!!! This is real life

      February 17, 2012 at 10:34 pm | Reply
    • Thinker23

      You may recall that Israel is a country that NEVER attacked first. In addition, you may recall that it is Iranian leaders who repeatedly declared their intentions to "wipe Israel from the map" and I do not have any reasons to believe that they've lied. Finally, it is pretty weird (to say the least) to blame Israel and the Jews for the violence and terrorism of the Muslims.

      February 18, 2012 at 8:02 am | Reply
      • melvinslizard

        Thinker-
        I'm pro-Israeli, but you are mistaken about them "never" attacking first. Israel is not afraid to take the first swing, ask Egypt/Lebanon/Syria/anyone else who has threatened them.

        February 29, 2012 at 6:08 pm |
  21. Bo

    it's exactly articles like this that are a threat to peace not Iran or Israel

    February 17, 2012 at 10:28 pm | Reply
  22. Benedict

    These ten roads to war are fighting to say the least. Yet,there's much to said about the reality of attacking a country with the will to strike their enemies as we have seen on the assassination attempts on Israeli diplomats. I believe that scenarios will determine the Israeli response to Iran,but it will really have to cataclysmic to allow for such drastic military action.

    February 18, 2012 at 10:27 am | Reply
  23. floridian

    I dont understans Iran. What is the real problem here. They not Palestinians, they Persians. What exectly they want? Land? Distraction? Haos? Dont they understand that they all too clouse to each other. Iran is not prepared tp face Israel.

    February 18, 2012 at 2:42 pm | Reply
  24. wORLD

    Destruction of Israel imminent.............................................
    and Zionist terrorist will be wiped out......

    February 18, 2012 at 5:17 pm | Reply
    • sinner/repentive

      Interesting name "WORLD", you comments are weak, and stupid, pick up the Bible and "READ IT"! You gotta stop reading all the propaganda your reading

      February 18, 2012 at 9:25 pm | Reply
      • 4Canada

        LOL! Read the 'true Bible' (sic)... And which part would that be? Amazing that a bronze age book guides your views on geopolitics and military affairs. That's a big part of the problem by the way...

        February 19, 2012 at 1:52 am |
    • melvinslizard

      By "Zionist Terrorist" I assume you mean "IRAN"

      February 29, 2012 at 6:12 pm | Reply
  25. maj

    Whatever road or roads the war will take it will certainly be a pre-emptive strike that will not look like a pre-emptive strike.
    Some trumped up excuse such as antagonizing the air space above the Straight of Hormuz only for the USA to "fall victim" to Iranian aggression. The USA will either goat Iran into a mis-step and if that doesn't work the USA will create, possibly with Israeli coordination, a rouse that looks like an Iranian act of aggression.

    The USA and Israel already holds Iranian weaponry and will deploy this in a way that looks like the Iranians deployed it.
    Any casualties on the ground will be fictionalized.

    Both the Israelis and Americans know that a pre-emptive strike would be too costly in the region in terms of reputation or used as an excuse by future transgressors so there must be the appearance of propriety.

    But a pre-emptive strike will occur however much frosting the USA and Israelis put on it.

    The road is arrogant boys playing with military toys that want to show off. These boys are heartless.
    I can't wait for all of them to retire and go play golf instead.

    After Reagan did so much damage in the world he couldn't even feel guilty about it as Alzheimer's saved him from that. What if Alzheimer's is from a mind too full of crime scenes rather than something organic.

    I just wish these guys would get an early onset so the could go play checkers with their obedient wives yesterday.
    Go home and enjoy your kids and grand kids before its too late.

    February 18, 2012 at 6:09 pm | Reply
  26. yar

    Fareed is a war monger as the western people. He makes people to scare. Time of supermacy is gone. So what if Israel has nukes..thez can be used against them as well.... And i am sure this will happen. bye chaw. sayonara....

    February 18, 2012 at 6:58 pm | Reply
    • sinner/repentive

      Woah ! Boy, what have you been smoking , and with whom have you been smoking with ? In case you haven't noticed Irac, Afghanistan, Lybia,and the rest should've taught you something.

      February 18, 2012 at 9:31 pm | Reply
    • melvinslizard

      Thank you, Yar, for finally giving us the clear threat of nuclear attack from Iran. The missiles will launch in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

      February 29, 2012 at 6:14 pm | Reply
  27. bribarian

    dont forget israel also used terrorism to murder iranian scientists making the war on terror seem trivial

    February 19, 2012 at 11:02 pm | Reply
    • jay

      Well, if you call assasination of nuclear scientists "terrorism" you have a warped sense of morality.

      Last I checked terrorism was the random murder of civilians, in order to terrorize a population. Covert military attacks are no different than Obama's drone strikes of Al Qaida leaders.

      February 20, 2012 at 2:52 am | Reply
  28. dinak

    Did u ever ask Iran to stop threatening Israel? Did u just awaken this morning after sleeping for 200years? Iran has been threatening to push the Israelis into the sea, and u wonder why Israel fears Iran???????????????

    February 20, 2012 at 11:20 pm | Reply
  29. Bradd Buckingham

    Number 10 is frankly brilliant and very "israeli" – They are know for their out the box thinking

    February 21, 2012 at 1:14 pm | Reply
  30. Nwaogu Godfrey. E

    There will be nothing like full stake WAR with Iran, the stakes are too high.Irans claim to peacful nuclear programme will
    ofcourse be consoludated will power changing hands at the Kremlin.Finally, there is no enough intel to justify any full scale war with Iran.Negotiations cont.

    February 22, 2012 at 6:26 am | Reply
  31. syria and iran are the evil and hizboallah are the arms

    we must stop this evil before it is too late, remember HITLER......
    those shiia thugs have no value for life...they are killers with stupid thyology of islam the shiia are cult and
    they breed evil, now they are killing there own people in syria UN MUST ACT, THEY ACTED ON LIBYA IN NO TIME AND THEY DID IT IN IRAQ , WHILE IN LIBYA AND IRAQ IT WAS ONLY FEW HUNDEREDS WERE KILLED NOW WE HAVE MORE THAN 12,000 CEVILIANS KILLED AND MURDERED BY BASHAR AL KALB IN SYRIA BY IRAN MONEY AND RUSSIAN ARMS, we must sanction russia and get red of all the embassies and cut any deals with them.
    arm the resistant to fight russians on there land,and fight iran and syrians thugs we must not stand silenet when we see evil at action.

    February 24, 2012 at 9:31 am | Reply
  32. nori al maleki of iraq helping syrian killers

    يا أبناء شعبنا الصابر
    يا أبناء امتنا العربية
    منذ أن أُبتُلي العراق بالاحتلال الأميركي الصهيوني الفارسي البغيض نفذ المحتلون وحلفائهم الأشرار وعملائهم الأخساء سلسلة من عمليات الإبادة للشعب العراقي كانت حصيلتها اكثر من مليون ونصف المليون شهيد عراقي ، فضلاً عن ملايين الجرحى والمعوقين وخمسة ملايين مهجر ، ناهيكم عن عمليات التجويع والإفقار والحرمان من الخدمات بل وتدمير العراق أرضاً وشعباً وحضارةً واقتصاداً ، حيث شُلت الصناعة والزراعة وأستحوذ السراق من العملاء على التجارة والخدمات ووظفوها في خدمة مصالحهم الخاصة .

    وبسبب ذلك كله والانهيار الأمني المريع فقد تتالت التفجيرات الإجرامية وغطًت أيام الأسبوع كله ، والتي سميت كلها بالأيام الداميات والتي تكررت فيها التفجيرات الدامية وآخرها وليس أخيرها تفجيرات يوم الخميس الثالث والعشرين من شباط الجاري والتي راح ضحيتها المئات من الشهداء والجرحى في بغداد وصلاح الدين وبابل ونينوى وديالى وكركوك وبقية محافظات العراق .

    وكانت وما زالت وستبقى التفجيرات الإجرامية المتتابعة في العراق لطخة عار صارخة في جبين حكومة المالكي العميلة التي استمرأت عمليات ذبح الشعب العراقي بهذه التفجيرات الإجرامية والاغتيال بالكواتم وحملات الاعتقالات الغاشمة الواسعة النطاق المصحوبة بالقمع والتعذيب الوحشي ، والتي شملت الآلاف من المناضلين البعثيين وضباط وطياري وضباط صف الجيش العراقي الباسل وأبناء شعبنا الأبي في الشهور الأربعة الماضية والمضافة الى مئات الآلاف من المعتقلين على امتداد سنوات الاحتلال البغيض .

    يا أبناء شعبنا المكافح
    لقد حاول العميل المالكي وبطانته الشريرة استثمار ظروف هزيمة المحتلين الاميركان بفعل الضربات القاصمة والعمليات الجبارة لمجاهدي البعث والمقاومة بالإفصاح عن عمالته المباشرة لإيران الصفوية التي سلمها المحتلون الاميركان خسئوا العراق ، فراح هذا العميل الصغير المالكي يُصَعد من عملياته القمعية ونهب جلاوزته لثروات وأموال الشعب العراقي وتجنيد ( الميليشيات الإرهابية المرتبطة به مباشرة ) لتكريس سلطته القمعية الديكتاتورية في محاولة بائسة لتجاوز هزيمة العملية السياسية المخابراتية بهزيمة صناعها المحتلين الاميركان عبر تصعيد عمليات التصفية والاحتراب بين أطراف هذه العملية ، والتي بلغت ذروتها عبر فبركة الجرائم وتحميل هذه الأطراف مسؤوليتها والإمعان في شل أجهزة الدولة التي دمرها المحتلون وتعطيل حركة الحياة في ميادينها الاقتصادية والاجتماعية والسياسية والثقافية كلها .

    وقيادة قطر العراق لحزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي إذ تستنكر ممارسات حكومة المالكي العميلة المدانة كلها فأنها تستنكر بشدة التفجيرات الإجرامية المتواصلة ، وتحمل هذه الحكومة العميلة المسؤولية الكاملة عنها بوضعها تحت قصاص الشعب العادل الذي لن يصبر طويلاً على جرائم المالكي وزمرته العميلة ، وسيواصل نضاله وثورته العارمة وحتى التقويض الكامل للعملية السياسية المخابراتية التي راح أطرافها يتلهون بمناوراتهم الخائبة دائرين ظهورهم لأبناء شعبنا الأبي الذي يرسفون في معاناتهم القاسية عبر اللعب على النغمات النشاز من قبيل السعي المحموم لعقد ما لم يتفقون على تسميته من قبيل ( المؤتمر ) أو ( الملتقى ) أو ( الاجتماع ) ، فالجميع يعتقدون واهمين أنهم يكسبون الوقت على حساب معاناة أبناء شعبنا الصابر الذي لم ولن يَبُت على ضيم وإنما يُواصل جهاده الملحمي وحتى الإسقاط النهائي للعملية السياسية المخابراتية وإقامة حكم الشعب التعددي الديمقراطي الشعبي المستقل والعادل ويمضي قُدماً على طريق النهوض والتقدم الحضاري والإنساني الشامل .

    وإن غداً لناظره قريب .

    February 24, 2012 at 9:56 am | Reply
    • J.J.W. van Waning

      Translation in English please?

      February 26, 2012 at 8:44 am | Reply
      • Silvana

        This recent oreblpm really got set off with what happened in Tunisia, but there were some oreblpms in Morocco before that as well. I suspect that it is going to get worse and worse, spreading throughout the entire Arab world. The oreblpm is bigger yet though. I believe that the seeds of war are being scattered all around the world and are going to begin to ignite all around. Israel however, is the center of everything really when it comes to Biblical end-time theology. Don't let it get to you when people don't want to hear what you have to say. This is very common, especially here in America. I've run into that for years. In my case, that is one of the things that God has had me keep warning people about. The thing that is more important yet is the fact that God is calling His people run to Him today. He will take care of His own, but way too many don't even think they need anything from God. It's sad. But Claudia, remember that God doesn't expect you to turn a person's thinking process. He just expects us to be faithful in spreading the message that God gives us to share. It's not popular though, that's for sure.Many more posts coming. I have a couple or three crucial ones in the next few days, maybe one tomorrow if I can get it done. I'm not sure. It takes quite a lot of research with some subjects. Thanks for reading, and commenting!

        March 12, 2012 at 5:18 am |
    • melvinslizard

      How did you get your keyboard to write in cursive? Wow, I am finally impressed with something Islamic. Kudos and a bacon sandwich to you and yours!

      February 29, 2012 at 6:15 pm | Reply
    • rlowens1

      Wall of gibberish completely effective. Totally impenetrable.

      March 4, 2012 at 10:36 am | Reply
    • ryox82

      Here is a bing translation for everyone.

      Hey people Saber
      Oh sons of our Arabic
      Since that plagued Iraq occupation the Persian American-Zionist occupiers and their allies implemented odious villains and their alakhsaa series of genocide of the Iraqi people were picking up more than a million and a half million Iraqi martyr, as well as millions of the wounded and war-disabled and five million displaced persons, not to mention starvation impoverishment and deprivation operations of services but also the destruction of Iraq's territory and people and civilization and economical, so crippled industry and agriculture attracted thieving Government clients on trade and services, and they recruited her to serve their own interests.

      Because of all this horrendous security breakdown has continued criminal bombings and covered all days of the week, all days are called the bleeding and bloody bombings that contained restatements and the latest is its last explosions Thursday 23rd of this February, which killed hundreds of martyrs and wounded in Baghdad and Salah al-Din, Diyala and Babil, Ninawa and Kirkuk and the rest of the governorates of Iraq.

      And they still remain in Iraq bombings successive criminal stain blatant affront to the Maliki government clients that have become comfortably numb slaughtering the Iraqi people by these criminal explosions and assassinations and arrests balkwatm brute large-scale campaigns accompanied by brutal repression and torture, which included thousands of Baathists and officers and fighters pilots and commissioned officers of the valiant Iraqi army and our people proud in the past four months and added to the hundreds of thousands of detainees over the years of occupation.

      Hey people struggling
      I've tried the Maliki and his evil client investment conditions the Americans defeat the occupiers by deadly strikes and mighty operations of Mujahideen resistance and Baath disclose direct employment for Iran alsavoih khsaewa by the Americans, Iraq occupiers Farrah this client applet Maliki climbs from repressive operations and the looting of the wealth and money glaosth for the Iraqi people and recruitment (associated terrorist militias directly) to devote his repressive dictatorship in miserable attempt to overcome the defeat of political intelligence operation to defeat the Americans through the escalation of its creators occupiers liquidations and the fighting between the parties to this process, which Culminating over hyped crimes and download these parties responsibility and better shell State organs which had been destroyed by invaders and disable the movement of life in the spheres of economic, social, political and cultural.

      And Qatar-led Iraq's Baath Arab Socialist Party censuring condemned Maliki government practices are they client strongly condemns the criminal bombings continued, these puppet government fully accountable to put them under the just people chastisement will be patient with long Maliki crimes, and his clique will continue their client and their revolution surges and even undermined the political process fully involving intelligence, they delight in their gruelling frustrated people turning their backs that were being kept in their suffering ALABI harsh across playing ringtone such anomaly of a frantic search Unless they agree to rename as (the Conference) or (Forum) or (the meeting), all believe they earn an illusion over time our people are suffering not saber and will not decide on his crusade continues over but epic even the final projection of the political process and the establishment of the rule of intelligence people independent popular democratic pluralist and equitable and proceed on the path of advancement and progress of civilization and comprehensive humanitarian.

      But tomorrow its Director soon.

      March 5, 2012 at 11:03 am | Reply
  33. almahdi is lusefer

    iran must be attacked, iran is not a muslim country, all the muslims 1 billion are sunni and the shiia are only 150 milions iran 65 millions are not all muslims , they have 10 million sunni and 5 million kurds, and 3 million christeans and jews etc...iran is evil and we dont consider them muslims. teh shiia cult is a devil worship called almahdi he the son of lusefer the devil

    February 24, 2012 at 5:38 pm | Reply
    • ryox82

      So....because there are less Shia, they are evil? Is that how it works?

      March 5, 2012 at 11:09 am | Reply
  34. J.J.W. van Waning

    And when may we receive the 'Wikistrat crowd-sourced analysis exercise' providing the range of possible pathways to an Israel-Iran peace, please – in the name of Yahweh, God, Allah and/or all sensible people on this world?

    http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/19/zakaria-israel-dont-strike-iran/

    http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/24/zakaria-could-middle-east-tensions-boil-over-2/

    February 25, 2012 at 4:51 pm | Reply
    • J.J.W. van Waning

      While Wikistrat is, hopefully, searching for possible pathways to an Israel/American-Iran peace, here are some suggestions by other analysts.

      (1) "How to Engage Iran – What Went Wrong Last Time — And How to Fix It"

      By Hossein Mousavian in Foreign Affairs, February 9, 2012

      http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137095/hossein-mousavian/how-to-engage-iran?page=show

      (2) 'America, Israel, Iran: mediation vs war'
      By Paul Rogers in openDemocracy, on 16 February 2012
      http://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/america-israel-iran-mediation-vs-war

      (3) 'In Heavy Waters: Iran’s Nuclear Program, the Risk of War and Lessons from Turkey'

      International Crisis Group – Middle East and Europe Report N°11623, 23 Feb 2012

      http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-iran-gulf/iran/116-in-heavy-waters-irans-nuclear-program-the-risk-of-war-and-lessons-from-turkey.aspx

      Commented on by Jim Lobe in 'Despite War Drums, Experts Insist Iran Nuclear Deal Possible' on IPS, 23 February 2012
      http://ipsnorthamerica.net/news.php?idnews=4094

      February 26, 2012 at 9:24 am | Reply
  35. Col. J.Bronson

    I can tell you ALL that the time is very very close that Iran will fall.And fall hard!!! This is from a very reliable source.VERY SOON!!!!

    February 26, 2012 at 6:06 pm | Reply
    • rlowens1

      Yeah, we all know that the US is a warmongering country that now has to start wars in order to justify having the biggest military on the planet by a factor of ten.

      March 4, 2012 at 10:34 am | Reply
  36. weedman

    This is inevitable. It's been almost 70 years since the last big war. Stockpiles need to get used and replenished. So does our population. Couple hundred million snake charmers and about as many jews and jesus followers, chopped up in the meat grinder that will be WWIII. The West will dominate, no country in the world can hang with the US, not after 10 years and two wars churned out more battle hardened veterans than WWII. China will just wait until it's over, so it can take out the US after it's been softened up a bit. They like doin it like that.

    February 27, 2012 at 5:39 pm | Reply
    • melvinslizard

      Ugh, I think you're probably right! Guess I'll head over to WalMart and stock up on ammo and water, just in case.

      February 29, 2012 at 6:17 pm | Reply
  37. Col.J. Bronson

    WEEDMAN......you must be smoking a lot of POT...but you are Bang on!!! I have been through many Wars from Nam till now and nothing ...NOTHING will be like the beating that Iran will receive VERY SHORTLY.The stage is set to GO right now as I am writing.A few buttons pushed and a few sorties and BINGO!!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA

    February 27, 2012 at 8:41 pm | Reply
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  39. deezznutsinyomouth

    all of you are retards stand up look with your eyes its a media war thats it all of you are helping it weather your veiw is for or agenst take of the horse blindders america!!!!!!!!! RON PAUL REVELUTION!!!!!!!!

    March 1, 2012 at 9:25 pm | Reply
  40. deezznutsinyomouth

    YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS REALY CAUSEING ALL THIS DO YOUR RESEARCH ON "HAARP" ITS REAL AND IN AFFECT. THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ALL THIS LOOK UP " HAARP"

    March 1, 2012 at 9:28 pm | Reply
  41. rlowens1

    "Just remember how well Saddam Hussein spoofed the U.S. intelligence community regarding his own Weapons of Mass Destruction capacity in the run-up to the U.S. invasion in 2003."

    This was a lie straight from the Bush administration, and we all know it. Where were you when this was happening? Iraq had nothing to do with those rumors of weapons of mass destruction. Those were lies from an administration hell bent and determined to start a war with Iraq – and, they did, didnt they?

    March 4, 2012 at 10:31 am | Reply
  42. peacebeonearth

    this article was drafted by oil producing countries-backed writer to push world oil prices sky-high.

    March 5, 2012 at 9:35 pm | Reply
  43. ALI

    You all sitting in a comfortable house behind your fancy computers....talking big war with IRAN!!!!! war....war...war.. care more about dogs & cats than human lives!! Israel is not in a good situation in that region. US is losing grounds to China & Russia!! World is changing my friends. You like war? Join the Army. Show how much you care. Talk is cheap!!

    March 5, 2012 at 11:30 pm | Reply
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  47. simon

    soon Jehovah's Kingdom will destroy all the governments on earth as it says in the Bible at Daniel 2:44. Then there will be true peace and security. We need to be supportors of The Kingdom in order to be survivors of the coming destruction.

    July 4, 2012 at 3:27 pm | Reply

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