First we hear that Netanyahu has given Obama an ultimatum over Iran, and now Drudge has this in the top corner:
TIMES OF ISRAEL – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is determined to attack Iran before the US elections,” Israel’s Channel 10 News claimed on Monday night, and Israel is now “closer than ever” to a strike designed to thwart Iran’s nuclear drive.
The TV station’s military reporter Alon Ben-David, who earlier this year was given extensive access to the Israel Air Force as it trained for a possible attack, reported that, since upgraded sanctions against Iran have failed to force a suspension of the Iranian nuclear program in the past two months, “from the prime minister’s point of view, the time for action is getting ever closer.”
Asked by the news anchor in the Hebrew-language TV report how close Israel now was to “a decision and perhaps an attack,” Ben-David said: “It appears that we are closer than ever.”
He said it seemed that Netanyahu was not waiting for a much-discussed possible meeting with US President Barack Obama, after the UN General Assembly gathering in New York late next month — indeed, “it’s not clear that there’ll be a meeting.” In any case, said Ben-David, “I doubt Obama could say anything that would convince Netanyahu to delay a possible attack.”
The report added that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak believe Obama would have no choice but to give backing for an Israeli attack before the US presidential elections in November.
I really don’t see the US helping Israel if they decide to attack Iran, at least with Obama in power. Just don’t see it.
As far as whether Netanyahu will actually attack Iran before our elections, here’s a poll to see what you think:
UPDATE: Here’s something that just occurred to me. Do you remember the last time Israel took a strong military action against an enemy? It was against Gaza and it was right before Obama’s inauguration, while Bush was still president. It was said back then that Israel wanted to get their attack on Gaza out of the way because they didn’t feel Obama would favor it.
Interestingly enough, now would be a time when Obama couldn’t really speak out against Israel’s military action because of the elections. Strategically this is probably the most similar time to then. Just food for thought.