U.S. Warns Israel on Strike

[DeathToTheOil]

WASHINGTON—U.S. defense leaders are increasingly concerned that Israel is preparing to take military action against Iran, over U.S. objections, and have stepped up contingency planning to safeguard U.S. facilities in the region in case of a conflict.

Iranians on Friday carried the flag-draped coffin of Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, a scientist working in Iran's nuclear sector assassinated in Tehran.

President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other top officials have delivered a string of private messages to Israeli leaders warning about the dire consequences of a strike. The U.S. wants Israel to give more time for the effects of sanctions and other measures intended to force Iran to abandon its perceived efforts to build nuclear weapons.

Stepping up the pressure, Mr. Obama spoke by telephone on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet with Israeli military officials in Tel Aviv next week.

The high-stakes planning and diplomacy comes as U.S. officials warn Tehran, including through what administration officials described Friday as direct messages to Iran's leaders, against provocative actions.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204409004577159202556087074.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop

[jaysunb]

1. America's "greatest friend," huh....

[DeathToTheOil]

18. Tied with Pakistan.....

...for Worst Ally.

[DCBob]

2. If they were "private messages" why are reading about it in the WSJ?

I suspect this was leaked so we dont get blamed for the attack.

[harun]

3. Yup, this is an easy one.

[TheWraith]

6. It's also a way of telegraphing non-support to the Israelis.

A way of saying "We don't approve and aren't going to cover your asses."

[whathehell]

9. I hope that's what they are doing, I really do..NO MORE WARS!!...N/t

If Israel wants to fight, let 'em...We're all sick of this shit.

[sulphurdunn]

11. Who's we?

Do you really believe the Israelis give a flip about the President's non-support? I doubt Israel actually plans to attack Iran. Just the threat of it, however, when combined with the influence of its American lobby, gives it considerable leverage over American foreign policy in the region. If Israel ever decides to actually start a war with Iran we'll be sucked into it immediately, on the ground, by our corporate, boot licking pro-Israel Congress. Everyone who still deals in reality knows this. That includes the Iranians.

[AverageJoe90]

13. Agreed with the first few sentences. Everything else, though........not so much. nt

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

4. Then after a strike by Israel, the US will rush in,

in support of Israel.
We have experienced all this before, but still don't learn from it.
So sad.

[Purveyor]

5. I hope the President understands how difficult it will be to get reelected with $5+ gasoline. eom

[Owlet]

8. Huh?

sorry..that went right over my head.

[Purveyor]

15. Military action against Iran will cause the price of fuel, all types, to rise dramatically hence

causing a economic downturn scuttling any recovery that now seems to be materializing.

This 'war with Iran' isn't paddy-cake and the results will be devasting across the globe.

Voters will, as they most always do...vote their pocketbooks come Nov.

[TheWraith]

7. Classic DU: When Obama does something approved of, spin it into something evil. nt

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

10. Not a spin, just seventy years of watching.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. Here is a little cold reality

and it has nothing to do with evil or good. Israel and the US (as well as the rest of the Western Alliance) are quickly moving into a face-off with Russia and Iran over Syria. No, that is not spin. That is a fact. How many articles do you want by the way? IT is all over FOREIGN press. And I do not just mean Debka and other creative writers out there.

If this goes south in a major way the five dollar gas will be a nice theory (as in actually higher than that)... but I do hope you, or those of military age in your family, enjoy the paid vacation to the ME courtesy of Uncle Sam.

On the bright side, we will have zero choice but to bring industrial production back to the country. I doubt China will sell us sensitive tech we need for our missiles. WOOHOOO that will lead to a full employment program! See, there is a bright side.

I am too tired to even think of the consequences of this.

[Renew Deal]

21. There was someone on Ed Shultz's show saying this a couple nights ago.

The guy said that the US will be forced to defend Israel and Israel knows it.

[lovuian]

14. Dempsey is a puppet and is no McMullen

Stepping up the pressure, Mr. Obama spoke by telephone on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet with Israeli military officials in Tel Aviv next week.

Obama and Dempsey better make it clear that they are not Netanyahu minions

a piece of advice

Actions speak louder than words


we will be watching their actions

[DesertFlower]

16. for years i've been hearing

that israel is going to attack iran.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. Well you know the saying about stuck clocks being right twice a day right?

It's like Press TV... they are boud to be right SOMEDAY.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Oh here are a few holes that are NOT in this story

suffice it to say we have been doing some work.

The Russians have a port in Syria.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/russian-ship-suspected-of-carrying-munitions-to-syria-appears-near-turkish-port/2012/01/14/gIQAdwLfyP_story.html

The Iranians have a mutual defense pact with Syria

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/feb/17/usa.syria

The Arab League mission, for all intents has failed

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/More+monitors+call+quits+Arab+League+mission+Syria+shows+cracks/5989102/story.html

Canada has closed it's embassy, and the uk and us are working with barebones staff, if you can call that working.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/last-day-to-get-out-of-syria-ottawa-warns-canadians/article2302301/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=World&utm_content=2302301

Kiddies the Iranians and the russians are trying to get us off Syria... and we are heading towards a regional war, at the very least.

There is more, but really I am too tired to paint the full picture right now.

[amandabeech]

22. You are so right on this, Nadin.

You and I have not always agreed, but you are so right in bringing up the Syrian angle and also the problem with outsourcing military items to less than friendly countries.

I only have one thing to add, and that is the continuing demonstrations against Putin in the upcoming Russian presidential election. Putin is an old school KGB guy, and I don't think that he is comfortable with the situation there. Rulers facing uncertain reelections, not that he really is, often pull out the foreign enemy boogieman. Obama must resist any thought of letting the upcoming U.S. election affect his actions here.

I think that your personal background helps you much in understanding and explaining this situation.

Nice touch about DEBKA, too.

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. Been working on a story on this

so yes.

Let's put it this way, the Sixth Fleet IS in the Eastern Med... and the Russians have, for all intents and purposes a light battle group in the same area. It's getting crowded. I doubt they are up for a game of basketball

[amandabeech]

25. What you are describing is sort of like the line in "Red October."

Former Sen. Fred Thompson refers to the situation in the Atlantic in which the then-Soviets and the U.S. Navy are looking for the Red October, under different cover stories, of course.

The line goes something like, "Too many ships and too little ocean. Someone will do something stupid, and then we'll all start shooting."

Has the U.S. said anything to U.S. citizens in Syria on the order of "please leave now?"

I look forward to your future posts on this subject.

[Ruby the Liberal]

28. Yes, the US State department has been calling for US residents to evacuate

for months now.

[amandabeech]

32. Thanks. I've been away from the internet and current events

for some time due to family problems.

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. Yes, in fact here it is, travel warning, a curious one at best

Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
PrintEmail
Syria

January 11, 2012

This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated December 21, 2011, and is being updated to reflect that on January 11, 2012, the Department of State has ordered a further reduction in staffing of the U.S. Embassy in Syria. Due to security concerns in Syria, in October 2011, the embassy was designated an unaccompanied post with restricted staffing. The Department has decided to further reduce the number of employees present in Damascus, and has ordered a number of employees to depart Syria as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to Syria. The U.S. Department of State urges U.S. citizens currently in Syria to depart immediately while commercial transportation is available. The number of airlines serving Syria has decreased significantly since the summer months, and many of the remaining airlines have reduced their number of flights. U.S. citizens who must remain in Syria should limit nonessential travel within the country. Due to further reductions in U.S. Embassy staff and as a result of the deteriorating security situation, the Consular Section will no longer have hours during which it is open to the public. Effective immediately, all consular services are by prearranged appointment only. Our ability to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency is extremely limited and may be further constrained by the fluid security situation.

Since March 2011, demonstrations throughout Syria have been violently suppressed by Syrian security forces, resulting in thousands of deaths, injuries, and detentions. In recent days, violence has escalated in cities around Syria, including the capital, Damascus. Demonstrations, and violent government reactions to them, can occur with little or no warning anytime and anywhere. Recent demonstrations have occurred on university campuses, main streets, public squares, mosques, and other places of public gathering; anyone caught in the vicinity of demonstrations may be detained. On July 11, 2011, the U.S. Embassy and other embassies in Damascus were violently attacked by people participating in a pro-government demonstration, resulting in the U.S. Embassy closing for one day. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of a demonstration.

Several cities, including Damascus, have been placed under heightened security. Travelers on Syrian roads have encountered an increased number of checkpoints and roadblocks, impeding travel and preventing entry to or exit from affected cities.

Syrian government constraints on diplomats and international staff, including the short-term detention of accredited diplomats, have made it difficult for U.S. Embassy personnel to adequately assess the current risks or the potential for continuing violence. The Syrian government has repeatedly denied permission to allow U.S. diplomats to travel within Syria, severely limiting the ability of consular officers to provide assistance to U.S. citizens outside the city of Damascus.

On August 18, several countries, including the United States, called upon the Syrian president to step aside. Furthermore, the United States imposed additional sanctions against the Government of Syria. These sanctions prohibit U.S. citizens or residents from making payments or providing any material support to the Government of Syria, providing services to Syria, or making new investments in Syria. U.S. citizens and residents should be aware that, under the current sanctions, activities such as working (i.e., providing services) in Syria or paying business or employment-related fees to the Syrian government (e.g., taxes, licensing fees, public utility charges, etc.) are violations of U.S. law. U.S. banks and credit card companies are also prohibited from providing services, drastically limiting U.S. citizens' and residents' ability to withdraw cash or conduct commercial transactions. However, U.S. persons residing in Syria are authorized to pay their personal living expenses in Syria and to engage in other transactions, including with the Government of Syria, that are ordinarily incident and necessary to their personal maintenance within Syria (e.g. taxes, school fees, public utility charges, etc.). Additional information about current U.S. sanctions against the Government of Syria can be found online at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/syria.aspx.

Syrian efforts to attribute the current civil unrest to external influences have led to an increase in anti-foreigner sentiment. Detained U.S. citizens may find themselves subject to allegations of incitement or espionage. Contrary to the terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, of which Syria is a signatory, Syrian authorities generally do not notify the U.S. Embassy of the arrest of a U.S. citizen until days or weeks after the arrest. Moreover, in the past, security officials have not responded to U.S. Embassy requests for consular access, especially in cases of persons detained for "security" reasons. There have been numerous credible reports of torture in Syrian prisons.

Travelers should heed directions given by Syrian police and/or security officials and should always carry copies of their passports as proof of citizenship and identity. Taking photographs of demonstrations, public gatherings, or anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in questioning, detention, and/or confiscation of the images. Additionally, U.S. citizens should be aware that exhibiting disrespect toward political symbols or conversations on the topics of politics, religion, and other social issues could lead to arrest.

U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Media coverage of local events may cause family and friends to become concerned for the welfare of their loved ones in Syria, and we urge U.S. citizens to keep in regular contact with family and friends.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Syria are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest travel updates and information and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Syria. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly with the U.S. Embassy in Damascus. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus can be reached at all hours at 963-11-3391-4444; the fax number is 963-11-3391-3999. The Embassy’s website, available at U.S. Embassy Damascus, includes consular information and the most recent messages to U.S. citizens in Damascus.

For information on “What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis,” please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Emergencies and Crisis link at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

For further information, U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Syria. Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

-----------

This is the second or third warning and each gets worst.

NOTE TO MODS this is open source official document.

[amandabeech]

31. This sounds to me like, "There is almost no chance that we will be able to evacuate you

like we did our citizens trapped in southern Lebanon during the last brief conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon."

I'd leave now.

Thank you for posting this.

Off to bed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. Yup, that is exactly what it is

[AverageJoe90]

26. Well.......

Unfortunately, WaPo is one of those papers that's had a CIA connection for a very long time. Frankly, I really don't believe this "Russia owns a Syrian port" story one bit.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. Ok let me give you a few more papers, because the port started in '67

http://en.rian.ru/world/20120110/170695026.html

http://navaltoday.com/2012/01/10/russian-navys-flotilla-visits-syrian-port-tartus/

Nor do they own it outright, they have control of three piers, with one functional... part of the mutual defense pact going back to the USSR.

http://www.sixdaywar.org/content/Immediate-Drift.asp

By the way I hope you trust those two russian sources better than the WAPO

Oh and doing background for that story I have gotten to know far more about Syria than I ever wanted to. And that includes it's strategic alliances.

[unkachuck]

24. tail wagging dog?

"...Israel is preparing to take military action against Iran, over U.S. objections..."

....sorry, I don't for one moment believe that Israel does anything without the approval or
participation of Washington....

....this is more like our MIC is down a war and they need a new source of income....

"...messages to Israeli leaders warning about the dire consequences..."

....like, if Israel gets in trouble we won't back them 100%?....sure

[AverageJoe90]

27. reply?

"....sorry, I don't for one moment believe that Israel does anything without the approval or
participation of Washington.... "

In most cases, that was definitely the case. This may be a notable exception, however, unless Netanyahu decides not to be a fool after all.

[lib2DaBone]

34. This just provides plausible deniabiliity (smoke screen...)

The USA is hated more each day for the WOT.

Backing Israel in an attack will assure we have terrorists on our door step.

[Behind the Aegis]

35. Rattle, rattle, rattle...

This actually seems like nothing but a "puff piece."

[Ruby the Liberal]

36. It does have that whole 'DEBKA Trial Balloon' feel to it, doesn't it.

[TomClash]

37. Two points

First, we are not going to war over Syria. Not now. Not ever. It makes no sense at all.

Second, the article doesn't indicate that Israel is preparing to strike Iran, though I think before the elections Israel will attack Iran. Nothing is imminent because both sides want to give terrorism a chance at succeeding in Iran.

[wwytchwood]

38. DONT THROW ME IN THE BRIAR PATCH!

that is really rich - this only allows deniability, while secretly supporting more murder

[truth2power]

39. Exactly! The fix is in. n/t

[NoodleyAppendage]

40. Just in time for the 2012 Election! Brought to you by the military-industrial complex...

How "convenient" this saber rattling right before the 2012 election season.

J

[rudycantfail]

41. It's interesting

how the U.S. can play the role of "cooler head" and peace maker and pull it off.

[azurnoir]

42. Israel, US cancel missile defense drill

Israel and the US canceled a missile defense drill, billed as the largest ever in the country's history, planned for the spring, senior military officials said Sunday.

Initially scheduled for April and called "Austere Challenge," the drill was supposed to see the deployment of thousands of US troops and various sophisticated US military equipment in Israel.

In recent weeks, Defense Minister Ehud Barak's office has held talks with the Pentagon about the possibility of canceling the drill.

Senior military officers told The Jerusalem Post that the drill scheduled for April has been canceled, while defense officials said that it was possible that it would be held later in 2012.

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=253691