Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger, “Second Thought: a US-Israel Initiative”
“Israel Hayom”, June 22, 2013, bit.ly/12gm5rq
The most critical, clear and present dangers to US’ national security, homeland security and economy, are Iran’s nuclearization, Islamic terrorism, the explosive impact of the seismic Arab Street, the potential disruption of the supply and price of imported-oil and the declining US posture of deterrence.
The most clear and present policy to alleviate these threats would be US energy independence, ending dependence on unpredictable Arab oil producers, bolstering the US posture of deterrence, accelerating economic growth, improving the trade balance, reducing the budget deficit, lowering energy cost, expanding employment and availing more funds toward infrastructures, education, the elderly, Medicare and human services in general .
As demonstrated by the stormy, seismic Arab Winter, and irrespective of the Palestinian issue, the Arab Street is increasingly anti-US, Islamist-oriented, violently intolerant, unpredictable, unstable and terror-dominated.
The US mainland and vital US interests abroad are targeted by Muslim regimes and organizations. They adhere to a 14 century old trans-national, imperialistic ideology, believing that they are divinely-ordained to rule the globe. They are energized by their assessment that Europe is caving-in, while the “Great Satan” US is increasingly vulnerable.
Iran is systematically defying the US. A nuclear Iran would trigger a meltdown of the pro-US Arab oil-producing regimes; traumatizing the supply and price of oil, devastating the US economy; emboldening Islamic terrorist sleeper cells; intensifying the anti-US policy of Venezuela; accelerating nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and beyond; further eroding global sanity and undermining vital US interests.
A tour d’horizon of the Middle East reveals that Iraq has become a central theater of anti-US Islamic terrorism, increasingly controlled by Iran. Yemen is afflicted by a 14 century-old intra-tribal civil war, posing a threat to the House of Saud, Oman and oil tankers passing through the straits of Ban el-Mandeb and Hormuz. The Syrian lava – boiled by intra-Arab and intra-Muslim wars by proxies – threatens to sweep through Lebanon, Jordan and possibly the Persian Gulf. Jordan’s pro-US Hashemite regime is facing lethal threats from Syria, Iraq, disgruntled Bedouins, Hamas terrorists, the Palestinian majority and the Muslim Brotherhood. Post-Mubarak Egypt improves ties with Iran and provides a tailwind to Muslim Brotherhood cells throughout the Arab World, advancing its trans-national, expansionist anti-US agenda.Libya and Tunisia undergo a rapid process of Islamization; and Morocco and Algeria face a major challenge by Islamic oppositions. Since 2002, Turkey has veered toward the Muslim World away from the US. The current upheaval on the Arab Street highlights the Middle East as a region of unpredictable geo-political shocks.
US energy independence would be a game-changer in the international arena, constituting an effective shock-absorber for the US and its allies. It would minimize US dependence on foreign markets and multilateral/international entities, enhancing the independence of US unilateral national security actions.
US national security and economic interests are also bolstered by Israel, which has adopted the independent oil producers’ state of mind: defiance of the jagged cutting edge of nature, a can-do mentality, independent action and out-of-the-box-thinking.
In 2013, Israel constitutes the only stable, predictable, capable, democratic and unconditional US ally, upgrading the shock-absorbing capabilities of the US, reducing regional instability, serving as a critical line of defense for Jordan and other US allies. Israel is a unique source of intelligence, battle and counter-terrorism tactics. For example, the US receives from Israel more intelligence received from all NATO countries combined. Moreover, US special operation forces benefit from Israel’s experience in facing improvised-explosive-devices, suicide bombers and car-bombs. US pilots employ Israeli Air Force tactics to evade Russian-made surface-to-air missiles. US homeland security officials, first responders and police chiefs systematically receive Israel’s lessons for combating Arab terrorism and tracking terrorists.
Israel has become a unique pipeline of cutting-edge technologies for the US defense and commercial industries. For instance, the F-16, F-15 and hundreds of additional US military systems, employed by Israel, are systematically upgraded through lessons learned by the Israeli battle-tested “laboratory.” These lessons are shared on-line, in real-time with the US manufacturers, providing the US with a mega-billion dollar global competitive edge, expanding US exports, employment, research and development. A similar process has benefitted some 300 US high-tech giants, who established research and development centers in Israel, leveraging Israel’s innovative technologies, establishing production lines, creating more jobs and exports in the US.
Israel’s unique capabilities extend the US’ strategic arm at a time of US withdrawal and defense cuts. According to the late General Alexander Haig, “Israel is the largest US aircraft carrier which does not require even one US soldier, cannot be sunk, deployed in a most critical area for US interests. If there would not be an Israel, the US would have to deploy a few real additional aircraft carriers to the Mediterranean, which would cost the US taxpayer about $15BN annually.”
In the battle against Iran’s nuclearization, Islamic terrorism and threats to the supply and price of imported oil, US interests would be well-served by energy independence and by enhanced US-Israel mutually-beneficial, win-win defense and commercial cooperation.
@ M Devolin:
Ever watch a good 3 card Monte operator?
What we have is at least three games going on simultaneously and they are not necessarily linked.
Got to keep ones eyes on the little peas and not be distracted.
“Don’t think so.”
An exaggeration on my part, Yamit. But it seems to me that Obama lets the Muslim hordes get what they want: he lets them into the FBI, Homeland Security, etc. Look how he actually kissed that Saudi pig’s hand. That almost made me vomit. And then there is Bengazi: I still don’t understand why they let that happen. Weird.
bernard ross Said:
Not if ‘Ben Shalom Bernanke’ does his thing first. 🙂
Beware the Ides of August 2013
@ bernard ross:
All roads lead through Jeruslem still.
The Obama end game is no different than the Bush end game, the Clinton and Bush/Reagan end game. Iran will be allowed to get their bombs and then the trade off will be imposed on Israel:… de-nuking Iran for de-nuking Israel. Breaking up all or most of the post colonial national states into statelets or eventually under radical Islam well armed that will slowly reduce Israel to total defenselessness. The end game is the completion of Hitlers final solution in stages but for those stages to progress Israel must be rendered toothless.
Gaddafi almost screwed up the master plan and actually delayed it long enough to put Assad’s fall in doubt. Russia has not forgotten what Clinton did to Serbia and what they tried to do in Poland. They are and will be looking for payback. Obama stupidly had discounted the Russian and now he is being given a lesson in Power politics.
The GCC may have backed the wrong horse and if Assad survives he will do everything to payback. Jordan may be the first on his list. Obama won’t be much help certainly not with near useless Patriot missiles and the S-300 might neuter F-16’s flown by American pilots and Nato pilots.
Iran can destabilize the whole Gulf region by using Shia tribes in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and once they get nukes they can get away with it.
Whatever positions America and Nato take Russia, China and Iran will be on the other, directly or by proxies. If Israel could, she should make a pact with the Iranians against the Western Nato forces and the GCC. Stranger things have happened.
M Devolin Said:
Don’t think so.
“The question as to who operates him still begs for an answer.”
Islamic Jihad.
M Devolin Said:
I think you are correct by definition: if he is being “operated” then he must be a “mole” operated on behalf of others interests. The question as to who operates him still begs for an answer.
yamit82 Said:
My understanding is that in the US the major focus is natural gas and major transport corps, and energy corps, are switching their trucks to natgas. Also, that domestic prices in gas will remain lower until 2015 when more LNG export facilities come online for export to much higher prices in japan and eu. Some have even stated that the windfall in fees, taxes, licenses to the Fed will be so great as to make a political success of Obama and that there would be a push to remove the 2 term limit. 🙂
“I see Obama as an opportunist and puppet who is operated with carrots and sticks.”
I see him as the greatest mole in the history of espionage. Even going farther “inside” than Kim Philby and Eli Cohen.
“America today can save herself only by it’s unreserved support for Israel otherwise…..”
I agree completely, Yamit. “The curse causeless shall not come.”
yamit82 Said:
You may be right but those articles were written in 2009 and 2010 and I believe that events have unfolded since then without that focus. I see Obama as an opportunist and puppet who is operated with carrots and sticks. At least for the near future I think that focus has fallen off the map. I see that all events of the past couple of years, starting with tunisia,should be viewed within the context of a US brokered and coordinated policy which links seemingly unrelated players in a grand arrangement. So far I believe my suspicions have been confirmed to date. The western interests are in concert with the GCC against the Persians and their proxies. I also believe that the GCC may be in the process of trading in the Israeli enemy for the persian enemy in order to facilitate longer term goals in gas and oil in North africa and the med to europe. I believe the GCC is less interested in facilitating the pals now and may even see stability on that flank as a boon to their future spheres of influence and investment(North Africa, Med. and alternate routes for gas and oil to Europe). Furthermore, I beleive there is a view in west and GCC to offset china’s african venture and that African resources are another focus of being in N. Africa. Qaddafi showed how libyan oil money can operate africa, so why leave it in his hands? The GCC is investing in its financial and political future, they have found bigger fish to fry and they are in competition and hostilities with Iran..
I think Ettinger is trying to sell a product few if anyone is willing to buy.
All of the rational and even logical reasons he gives will not move the powers in control to shift their anti Israel positions an inch.
I say America should support Israel because if they don’t they will meet the same fate as “Tyre”. The city of Tyre lasted a thousand yeas and were supportive and helpful to the Jews. Even helped build our 2 temples and King Davids palaces. They even survived Alexander the Greats conquests but as soon as they turned against the Jews they were destroyed completely. America today can save herself only by it’s unreserved support for Israel otherwise….. 🙁
I wonder that if the prices of oil are substantially higher outside of the USA, will not the oil companies in America divert it’s production and supply to those who are willing to pay substantially more than Americans? Bottom line is I don’t think energy independence in oil will benefit Americans in reducing the price of gas or energy derived from oil. It will help in bal. of payments and trade if the oil is kept and sold in America.
America is also 20 years behind in building new refineries, so even with an increase of domestic production the bottleneck of refining still will exist keeping prices more or less in line with global prices.
@ bernard ross:
left out this link in my comment # 6
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/obama-s-message-to-israel-freeze-settlements-or-get-rid-of-dimona-1.322382
@ bernard ross:
I think you are missing something in you analysis.
In an address to AIPAC last week, Dennis Ross outlined the link between peace negotiations and Israel’s nuclear program in delicate but clear diplomatic language.
Ross – that is to say, Donilon, which is to say, Obama – outlined the link between peace negotiations and Israel’s nuclear program in delicate but clear diplomatic language. In September, at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s General Conference, the U.S. managed to foil a condemnation of Israel’s nuclear program (which had been pushed by Egypt ). The Obama administration will of course “continue to stand up for Israel in these organizations, but there should be no mistake that our efforts are strengthened when Israel is actively participating in peace negotiations.”
Between “Hoss” and Ross, the meaning is clear, and it does not depend on the outcome of today’s elections: You want to keep Dimona? Then you’ll pay the price to keep talking with Abbas – namely, a settlement freeze. And as for Iran, don’t be an idiot. Leave it to Obama.
Obama’s Real Agenda: Israel’s Dimona Nuclear Facility
By Moshe Dann
“This paragraph sends chills through Israel’s intelligence community. His reference was not just to Iranian nuclear weapons, but “any nation” that has, or acquires them. That includes Israel.” “By linking support for Israel against Iran with a halt to all settlement building, and establishing a second Arab Palestinian state, Obama has set the stage for his big prize: Dimona”.
“I seek a capable Israeli volunteer that I can fully brief to then show Netanyahu and other officials how their goal can be achieved.”
Remember what they did to Jonathan Pollard, Bert.
Better be careful what you say here, Bert. Obama is reading your texts.
“The truth is, if Israel feels the need to destroy that growing Iranian threat, then Israel alone will be compelled to destroy that threat with its own direct military means.
“And if you wait too long, Israel will be compelled to use its own nuclear weapons in some last-minute effort to stave off such an attack from the enemies of the Jewish state.”
This is what I believe also, Mr. Harris. “Iron sharpens iron.”
ArnoldHarris Said:
I think the US is working with the GCC to weaken the iranian proxies syria and hezbullah and breakup syria like iraq. After that I expect the jihadis to operate in Iraq. I expect that the US plan is to destabilize Iran in the hope that it will fall from within by using the sunni GCC mercenary jihadis, the newly released kurds from turkey, and the internal kurdish and azeri iranians. They don’t do this for israel but for the GCC. However, it might be that the GCC has agreed to weaken the blowback from the proxies (syria, hezbullah, hamas)in return for israeli strikes against Iran. Hamas is already on the GCC/Qatar leash and the GCC proxies are at work in lebanon and syria. Israel is probably waiting to see if they are successful before making a move. If Debka is right about turkey it will be an obstruction to the US plan and if the russians don’t come to agreement it will be a larger obstruction if they deliver systems which prevent Israeli air superiority. There does not have to be finality to the conflict to weaken the blowback and allow free air passage.
I am a retired IBM engineer with long interest in the environment and advanced green energy technologies that go far beyond solar, wind, bio-fuels, etc. Long ago I discovered that advanced green energy technologies already exist in research form but have also been suppressed by the U.S. government to maintain the dominance of coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power. All the information is on the internet for years but remains overlooked and ignored. The majority of breakthrough energy inventors are American and America is the global center of energy suppression behind a media blackout.
Any one of these green energy technologies could have demolished the Arab Oil Weapon at least fifteen years ago. Iran would thus have no oil income to fund its military and its nuclear programs.
Naturally I tried to alert both U.S. and Israeli officials to this research. The bureaucratic mind always dominates and those officials never respond. Three years ago P.M. Netanyahu announced and funded an Israeli goal to end the world’s dependence on oil. Naturally I contacted the team he appointed but they too refused to even read the technical research that I sent. Unfortunately he appointed administrators and not engineers. Meanwhile progress is nil and precious time is being lost.
Israel alone has more than enough capability to take down the Arab Oil Weapon IF they knew where to find the right technology. I have already approached various Israelis who should have responded but, as in the U.S., they too seem to be in a fog and unwilling to even read some documents. I will try again to reach Ambassador Ettinger who also seems unaware of these opportunities.
I seek a capable Israeli volunteer that I can fully brief to then show Netanyahu and other officials how their goal can be achieved. It has been too difficult for me, operating from the U.S., to get Israeli officials to respond. If readers know of any Israeli willing to volunteer for a month or so part time please show them my comments and have them contact me, Bertram Cohen, at bert99@peoplepc.com.
I think all Israpundit readers and commenters must comprehend by now that no matter what happens, the United States — under Obama or any other US president, for that matter — never shall use this country’s own armed forces to destroy Iran’s nuclear stockpiles — weapons grade or otherwise.
If any of you have illusions contrary to what I have posited here, then ask yourselves why no US president has attacked the weapons-grade nuclear stockpiles and/or their rocket-based delivery systems, of North Korea; all of which is far more threatening to US interests in the western Pacific Ocean area than Ian poses in the Middle East.
And don’t think for a minute that the people who control the US government consider the protection of the State of Israel as a vital US interest merely because the US Congress routinely make loud and strong promises regarding Israel.
The truth is, if Israel feels the need to destroy that growing Iranian threat, then Israel alone will be compelled to destroy that threat with its own direct military means.
And if you wait too long, Israel will be compelled to use its own nuclear weapons in some last-minute effort to stave off such an attack from the enemies of the Jewish state.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI