My question is: why wouldn't the strike convince the Iranians they absolutely must build a nuclear weapon? If so, I would expect they'll do this in secret and not allow any outside inspections. How does one prevent the Iranians from getting a nuclear weapon in this scenario? Is a military action the only option at that point?
My question is: why wouldn't the strike convince the Iranians they absolutely must build a nuclear weapon? If so, I would expect they'll do this in secret and not allow any outside inspections. How does one prevent the Iranians from getting a nuclear weapon in this scenario? Is a military action the only option at that point?
But the Iranian regime is incapable of keeping secrets. It is so corrupt, and there are so many people who hate the regime, that Israel can easily buy the services of Iranian agents. Mossad's penetration of the Iranian regime is the reason Israel has been able attack the regime so effectively.
As, I believe, Eric and Eliot have previously reported, Israel took out 14 of Iran's top nuclear scientists and destroyed its nuclear archive, as well as the backup of that archive. So, it appears Israel has the means to keep the Iranian nuclear program on the defensive.
"But the Iranian regime is incapable of keeping secrets."
I don't really feel comfortable banking on this--or Mossad's ability to ascertain with high confidence the state of Iran's attempts at building a nuclear weapon. If they have this, then they should be able to convey and even show this to allies. They should be able to tell allies now the status of Iran's nuclear program.
"So, it appears Israel has the means to keep the Iranian nuclear program on the defensive."
But does this mean military actions are the only options now to stop Iran? If so, that's not a huge drawback.
My question is: why wouldn't the strike convince the Iranians they absolutely must build a nuclear weapon? If so, I would expect they'll do this in secret and not allow any outside inspections. How does one prevent the Iranians from getting a nuclear weapon in this scenario? Is a military action the only option at that point?
But the Iranian regime is incapable of keeping secrets. It is so corrupt, and there are so many people who hate the regime, that Israel can easily buy the services of Iranian agents. Mossad's penetration of the Iranian regime is the reason Israel has been able attack the regime so effectively.
As, I believe, Eric and Eliot have previously reported, Israel took out 14 of Iran's top nuclear scientists and destroyed its nuclear archive, as well as the backup of that archive. So, it appears Israel has the means to keep the Iranian nuclear program on the defensive.
"But the Iranian regime is incapable of keeping secrets."
I don't really feel comfortable banking on this--or Mossad's ability to ascertain with high confidence the state of Iran's attempts at building a nuclear weapon. If they have this, then they should be able to convey and even show this to allies. They should be able to tell allies now the status of Iran's nuclear program.
"So, it appears Israel has the means to keep the Iranian nuclear program on the defensive."
But does this mean military actions are the only options now to stop Iran? If so, that's not a huge drawback.
Building a nuclear weapon is the rational thing for them to do.
I agree. Does anyone know if Cohen responds to this concern?