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| Iraq |
| Israeli sources say war imminent; Iran and Syria next |
| 2003-02-15 |
| GVNN Sources in the Israeli defense establishment expect a Bush administration assault oÂÂn Iraq within weeks, if not days. Israeli Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon, quoted by local media, says that the war would begin "before the end of February." A little earlier than we've been estimating here... Yaalon also states that an attack oÂÂn Iraq would spark a geopolitical "earthquake" in the region, following which the US would target Iran and Syria. Probably not right away, though, unless they join in the festivities... Yaalon's comments somewhat echoed statements made several days earlier by a Pakistani opposition leader. Qazi Hussain Ahmed, an official of the Islamic political coalition Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, claimed that the US would target Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan after Iraq. They say that like it's new data... Prof Edward Ghareeb, a US university professor and lecturer at the Washington-based International Peace Centre, believes that Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia are all eventual targets of the Bush Administration. Ghareeb cites an administration policy document composed in the aftermath of Sept 11 that suggests the US will work to prevent the emergence of any strong country in the Southwest Asian region except Israel and Turkey, and will use Iraq to lessen the US dependence for oil oÂÂn countries now seen as unreliable, such as Saudi Arabia. Israel and Turkey are on the "approved" list because of their support. Any other supportive countries in the area would also be on the "approved" list, which I'd guess includes Kuwait and Qatar, too. Both seem to be smartar than the average Muslim state, and less bloodthirsty. I don't know about Qatar, but Kuwait now has more income from its overseas investments than it makes from oil. A Gulf News columnist, George Hishmeh, also believes that Iran is likely a post-Iraq target, especially since the US and Israel fear that Iran may now independently develop nuclear bombs. Hishmeh thinks that Syria is in the crosshairs as well. The fact that they form a terror axis might also have something to do with it. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #2 RW: Shhhhhhh. And don't even mention that part of it is about location. As to "when", I think that depends on one's definition of what constitutes 'war'. Do recall that we had people in Afghanistan very shortly after September 11, 2001 — but that no one really considered that we were at 'war' until the bombing began. Same applies here. I'll be surprised if we don't see fireworks by March 5. As to the date of the start of the war? August 2, 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait. We just stopped shooting for a long while. |
| Posted by: Kathy K 2003-02-15 18:21:23 |
| #1 "...will use Iraq to lessen the US dependence for oil oÂÂn countries now seen as unreliable..." Uh oh, this guy's smart. He figured out that it's not really about the WMD (although getting rid of them and the tyrant is a bonus). "...Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia are all eventual targets..." In the future: "Don't worry Saud, we're still friends" "But, but, why are you leaving? Why are you not buying my oil???" "Don't worry Saud, we'll still cooperate in other areas" "But, but...mommy!" "Don't worry...Saud" |
| Posted by: RW 2003-02-15 12:36:36 |