Obama has never been a friend of Israel so I doubt they are surprised about this…upset yes, surprised no:
Israeli government officials voiced anger at U.S. press leaks traced to the Pentagon following the July 5 Israeli missile attack on the Syrian port of Latakia that destroyed a shipment of Russian-made anti-ship missiles, according to U.S. officials.
Senior Pentagon officials, including Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter who is currently visiting Israel, discussed the leaks during meetings with Israeli officials this week. The Israelis argued in private meetings and other exchanges that the disclosures could lead to Syrian counterattacks against Israel and should have been coordinated first with the Israeli government.
…According to U.S. officials, the Israeli government censored domestic press reports about the attack over concerns that any public discussion might prompt Syrian counterattacks against the Jewish state.
They were completely in their right to attack this shipment of 50 new Russian-made anti-ship missiles that were almost certainly on the way to Hezbollah. They wanted the submarine attack kept a secret but this Administration wouldn’t hear any of that.
the importance of this attack?
If Israel can now fire cruise missiles from a stealth platform, that represents a game-changer for the Middle East, and it may signal that a strike against Iran’s nuclear program is approaching. While some arm-chair tacticians focus almost exclusively on the air element, many military analysts believe an actual Israeli strike would combine multiple assets, including tactical aircraft, special forces and cruise missiles.
Under that scenario, Dolphin submarines of the Israeli navy would deploy to the Persian Gulf and launch cruise missiles against key targets supporting nuclear facilities, including air defense nodes, logistical sites and command facilities. Many of the cruise missiles would be employed against softer, above-ground facilities (assuming they are not fitted with nuclear warheads); that would allow Israeli fighters to target below-ground nuclear complexes with bunker-busting bombs. Special forces would be used to attack nuclear sites that can’t be easily targeted by aircraft or cruise missiles, and remove equipment and material from selected locations, proving Tehran’s nuclear intentions once and for all.
Diesel-electric boats are well-suited for operations in the Persian Gulf, and there has been periodic speculation about Israeli obtaining basing rights in places like Azerbaijan, or the Kurdish Region of northern Iraq. That would greatly decrease the distance Israeli forces would have to travel and increase the amount of firepower available for the raid. However, maintaining tactical surprise would be much more difficult, given the number of intelligence assets on the ground in those locations.
Still, an Israeli cruise missile strike against Iran–as part of a larger operation against Tehran’s nuclear program–cannot be dismissed. Iran has virtually no defense against a cruise missile attack, and utilizing those weapons in concert with other platforms would wreak havoc in the air defense system, improving Israeli prospects for success, and reducing the threat posed to tactical aircrews. Jerusalem understands the limitations of an “air-only” option; by some estimates, the IAF could dispatch only two dozen fighters for a long-distance raid against Iran (largely due to limited air refueling assets). That automatically limits the number of targets that could be struck, and almost ensures that some elements of the nuclear program will survive. By launching cruise missiles from submarines, Israel can attack a larger target set–or, at a minimum–accomplish tasks that would otherwise be assigned to fighter aircraft or special forces personnel, freeing them for other assignments.
Now if only Obama can keep his big trap shut.
See author page
The Obama administration was not identified as the source of the leaks. The source or sources were inside the Pentagon.
The Obama administration has already charged or prosecuted eight people in connection with other leaks under the Espionage Act. General James Cartwright, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was informed by the Justice Department late last month that he is now under investigation. The problem may well be that Obama has enemies inside the Pentagon who are perfectly willing to damage the nation or its allies in order to politically damage Obama.
@Greg: Valid points you add, but in light of all the other scandals with the WH, a slip of intel of this magnitude is still going to tarnish the president’s reputation.
After watching 8 years of media and entertainment skew and outright lie about information to make Bush look bad, I have to chuckle at the silly notion of “Obama Derangement Syndrome,” especially since he’s still protected by hollywood and the press. Your indignation is unfounded.
Imagine 8 years of hate-speech and stupid bumper stickers, brainwashing people into voting for whatever branded politician SNL could bring them, and you might have a case.
Bush suffered from not being a cardboard cutout of president, but he did a good job of running things. Obama’s a pop star, and I’m not sure he knows what’s going on.
That your first reaction is to point out who Obama prosecuted only reaffirms the attitude most have of this guy: “the buck stops with anyone but me”. He takes no responsibility as the president, but sucks up the fame readily.
Cheerleading for Obama is just that: pandering to those who have already imbibed the sugary red-dye number five.
The mob was incited by the pop culture and the media, allowing for far-left radical group to buy the WH. There’s no defense you can offer. This guys a joke no more allowances should be given.
@Greg:
What about the intel leaks investigation from last year? Why is that taking so long?
What about the above mentioned intel leaks? Those were designed to make Obama look good. Were those okay?
Here are the names of those charged so far. None of them were from the intel leaks investigation that supposedly began over a year ago and some of them committed their violations well AFTER the intel leaks. So much for consistency. So far, it looks like who not what was leaked determines who gets prosecuted.
Leaks ??? Secrets??? You have to be kidding me. You do not think that Syria K it had been attacked?? The only people
it was being kept secret from were the new. Sort of like Nixon’s “secret” bomb
ing of Cambodia. That was only being kept secret from Americans. Many Israelis do NOT want another wst. That last one in Lebanon did not ho well.
It was being keptsecret from Israelist
@another vet: I thought you had learned something after all those years in the military! You are very likely to be much more productive and self satisfied by pulling out your finger nails than trying to change the
mindpropaganda of these lefties.Once the US broke this story Israel’s DebkaFile added some very interesting details:
You try to help the countries you are friendly with, and obama ain’t friendly with ANY free country, including Israel and the USA.
@Randy: I know it’s a waste of time, but every now and then it’s interesting to see how outrageous the excuse(s) will be. Notice how the first response was to speculate that the current leaks are by people who are enemies of Obama. If I recall, the same allegations were made here about the intel leaks that made Obama look good which appeared to have come from the WH. It was a Republican. No proof in either case. The speed in which all of these “investigations” have proceeded have been noticeably different. One is extremely slow, the rest have been relatively fast. Nothing political to see here. Let’s just move along. It’s just one more example of blind obedience to this administration under the cover of being “concerned” about the country’s security when it really appears to be about concern for the administration.
no COUNTRY TRUST OBAMA
The open disdain in Obama’s voice and facial gestures is all one needs to know as to where he stands with Israel. Greg and the other libbies who espouse the “it’s just those people who hate Obama and are trying to bring him down so they blame anything on his administration” will never get it. We do not “hate” Obama. We despise his policies. We despise his stance on our country’s principles. We despise his stance as to our allies and we certainly despise his stance as to Israel among various things.
If one wants to see hate, look at Obama and his open hatred for Israel. Look at the loathing in his eyes when he is with and/or talking about Bibi. The hate is discernible and it is real. And to think people wonder why the Muslim terror fanatics are so openly brazen. They see a kinsman who stands with them as to their hatred for Israel and act as such.
@joetote, #10:
Actually, what you had said there in quotes is the entire situation in a nutshell. I have no doubt that there are people in the Pentagon and elsewhere who would do anything they could to embarrass or otherwise damage the Obama administration.
The assertion that Obama hates Israel is just a another far-right propaganda point that they eventually hope will help elect a character such as this one to an office he has absolutely no business occupying.
I don’t personally believe Cruz is tuned into any eternal truths. I don’t believe the bible contains specific instructions regarding U.S. foreign policy decisions, and would consider any president who thinks that it does potentially dangerous.
GREG
YOU DON’T BELIEVE BECAUSE YOU ARE A LIBERAL ON OBAMA’S TAIL.
BUT YOU WOULD BE TOO BLIND TO SEE THOSE WHO BELIEVE CRUZ,’THEY ARE GROWING IN NUMBER EVERYTIME HE COME TO SAY SOMETHING SMART,
LIKE ABOLISH THE IRS,
Cruz, in my opinion, isn’t qualified for the presidency. Unfortunately that doesn’t mean he won’t wind up on the republican ticket. Recent history demonstrates it’s possible.
GREG
CRUZ IS VERY QUALIFIED TO TALK ON FAILURES AND SCANDALS
WHICH THEY TRY TO MINIMIZE THE DESTRUCTIVE ACTIONS
TOWARD THOSE THEY HAVE TARGETED , BE IT THE failure to send help in BENGHASI to protect and save,
WHICH IS TREASON TO HAVE LET DOWN A FEW GOOD MEN HAVING TO DIE ALONE IN THE HANDS OF
TERRORISTS WHICH OBAMA DENIED THEM TO BE ALQAEDAS, TERRORISTS,
OR AND BE IT, THE UNACCEPTABLE TREATMENT AND ACCUSATIONS OF AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST
AND EVEN TRYING TO STAIN HIS PERSON, SO TO DEMOLISH HIS HIS CREDIBILITY,
OR AND THE VICIOUS TREATMEMENT GIVEN TO THE TEA PARTY AND CONSERVATIVES
BY PLAYING THE SUPREME POWER OF THE IRS AND DARE TO INTIMIDATE MANY OF THEM USING THEIR GIVEN POWER IN A MANNER DICTATED BY A HATER OF AMERICA, WHICH THEY ALL SHOULD BE FIRED AND THEIR COMFORTABLE HABITAT WITH ALL TE PAID BENEFITS CLOSE TOTALLY BY THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PAID FOR IT IN THE LAST HUNDREDS YEARS , THE SAME PEOPLE WORKING AND SWEATING FOR THE INCOMPETENCY OF SUCH A BIG AGENCY WHICH HAVE BECOME A BIG BEAST TO BE DESTROYED,
BE IT NONE THE LEAST BUT THE FIRST ONE OF THE VETERAN AFFAIRS AGENCY FAILING TO MEET THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE DUE MONEY TO THE VETERANS,
THESES PAYMENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN WITHOUT DELAY, AND THE BACKLOG IS A SHAME FOR THE LEADERSHIP WHO USE THOSE FUNDS FOR THEIR BENEFITS AND FOREIGN GIFTS TO HATER OF AMERICA WHILE THE VETERANS WAIT FOR THEIR MONEY, THIS IS ANOTHER TREASON TO THE WARRIORS OF AMERICA WHO HAVE COME BACK WOUNDED FOR MANY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE FOLLOWED THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT OF A COMMANDER IN CHEIF WHO KNOW NOTHING OF WAR STRATEGY,
AND SIT ON HIS ASS LOOKING ON THE WARRIORS BEING RESTRAINED TO KILL THE ENEMIES,
ON HIS BIB SCREEN, NOT EVEN SEEING ANY OUTRAGE TO SEE THE AFGHANS SOLDIERS TRAINED BY THE AMERICANS TROOPS , THOSE TRAINEE DECIDE TO MAKE A FEW BUCKS BY SHOOTING THE AMERICANS IN THE BACK LIKE OTHER TRAITORS AND ENEMIES, WHO WHERE TREATED AS FRIENDS BY THE AMERICANS, NOT EVEN ONE OUTRAGE FROM OBAMA,
HOW EASY TO CALL THOSE FAKE SCANDALS,
HOW MORE ARROGANT CAN YOU BE TO MATCH THAT SPEECH.
NO OUTRAGE BY THE DEMOCRATS NOT ONE,
@joetote: #10
When he first started campaigning for the democratic nomination for president, I said he would be a good computer voice, because his tone, emphasis, and expressions never changed, except when he was talking about those who he hates.
For the liberals who won’t believe this, start paying close attention to those things from now on.
Obama Hosts Ramadan Dinner at White House
Funny, no protests from the far-left atheist demagoging that this violates the separation between church and state. Oddly after five years in office Obama has never invited Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu to dine with him. This is unseemly Presidential behavior towards one of America’s best allies. Yet, Netanyahu had the class to hold a state dinner for Obama when the President finally visited Israel.
Protocol demands that the next time the Israeli PM visits, that Obama hold a state dinner in return. Not to do so would be a great insult to both Israel and Jews world-wide. It would also raise the possibility to the world that Obama might be an anti-semite bigot. Time will tell.
@Ditto: #16
It would be interesting to find out where obama is during the five times a day the Muslims are supposed to pray.
YES THE DOOR IS OPEN WIDE,
WE KNOW,
may GOD PROTECT AMERICA, HE WILL DO SOMETHING, A SIGN FROM GOD
WILL COME IN HIS OWN TIME,AND IT WON’T LEAVE ANY MORE DOUBTS
THAT AMERICA BELONG TO HIM, FOREVER,
Guys, I care little about what Israel thinks, they have sold our secrets, our weapons and attacked us enough times for me to get the message, why is the right (and a lesser percentage of the left) unable to see that they are not our friends?
MOOM
CHECK YOUR INFOS,
OR YOU ARE A LIAR
@moom: #19
Who have they sold our secrets and weapons to, and when have they attacked us? I need more info.
I have a good WORD TO INSPIRE, IT FIT PERFECTLY:
finally let the mighty strength of the LORD make you strong,
put on all the armor GOD give you, so you can defend yourself
against the DEVIL’S TRICKS,
we are not fighting against HUMANS,
we are fighting against forces and authorities and against ruler of DARKNESS AND POWERS
IN THE SPIRITUAL WORLD.
SO PUT ON ALL THE ARMOR GOD GIVE YOU.
THAT IS FROM : EPHESIANS 6,10 13, cev
This is silly. I was reading news articles about the Israeli attacks before the ‘leaks’ (sic)… Does anyone really think that the locals and military in the area can’t recognize an Israeli jet? That’s like saying if the Russians invaded Pearl Harbor, our military there would be clueless as to whose MIGs those were that attacked us. If nothing else, the ‘Star Of David” on the side would be an indication right? : http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V97jItSyoe0/UHGoeOUL_EI/AAAAAAAAb-8/4FWQyGw8vFQ/s400/0202123.jpg