Former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton recently raised the question of a possible Israeli attack on Iran. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Bolton urged the US to aid Israel before, during, and after such an attack—if it should take place. This may mean that Bolton does not believe a US attack on Iran is in the cards. Indeed, pundits report that Washington is opposed to an Israeli preemptive strike because it would “destabilize” the region. Really!!! And what would a nuclear armed-Iran do to the region—especially now that Vladimir Putin (allied with Iran) is restoring the Cold War, largely by means of Russia’s oil and gas resources on which Europe is dependent?
What does all this mean for Israel? The continuance of Kadima’s Olmert-Livni-Mofaz government can only spell further disaster—and not only because Kadima is committed to territorial retreat from Judea and Samaria. That very commitment signifies that the leaders of that ersatz party do not have the guts to deal with the Iranian threat.
What about Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, if he becomes Israel’s prime minister? It was with this question in mind that I recently urged that he submit a bill to abrogate the Oslo Agreement.
You may counter: What can Netanyahu do if the IDF continues to act on the principle that “self-restraint is a form of strength”—this, confronted by the most ruthless of enemies, Muslims who exult in death? What can Netanyahu do if concern with world opinion preoccupies his mentality? Yes, what can little Israel do in this world of Goliaths?
Hence, a word from Metternich: “Weaker states can ill-afford merely to react to events; they must also try to initiate them.” The State of Israel is weak only because it has weak leaders on the one hand, and an inept system of government on the other. Both had better be changed as soon as possible.
“[The] City-State Singapore did just that,” writes my friend, Dr. Bob Warren. He goes on to say this about Singapore (where he has lived) : “A small area of overseas-Chinese surrounded by hostile nations that had oil wealth, the new Singapore state made a chart of the political order of battle. Next, they listed their few national assets. They then took the initiative.
“Today, Singapore has more foreign exchange reserves than India. It has a core population that is loyal to the state. It is a healthy place to live. If sleepy Pakistan can possess unconventional ordnance, Singapore is not depending on the rattan palm leaf.”
Warren concludes: “As recently as today, we do NOT have a political order of battle chart.”
I say: Okay Israel: Let’s form a political order of battle. We have the brains. Let’s assemble the men. Having drawn up a political order of battle—keeping in mind five related enemies, Hamas, Fatah, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran—we can then publish it in the newspapers here and abroad.
We want to awaken people. We want to annoy Israel’s do-nothing Olmert-Livni-Mofaz government. We want to needle Israel’s do-nothing opposition parties. We want to arouse in the minds of Israelis and Americans that a virtual government exists in Israel, one that offers an alternative to paralysis and defeat!
