How the US may destroy Israel? - By proxy!

The new Israeli administration, led by hardliners, has now taken the lead in advocating tough treatment of Iran in order to persuade it to halt its nuclear program. The air is abuzz with rumors about Israeli plans to go it alone and attack Iran just by itself. If Israel were to attack Iran, the results would be terrible and it would expose Israel to Iranian reprisals. Indeed, Israel may well take out a big chunk of Iran's military potential, but in doing so, it would invite Iran to try answer in kind.

The latest sounds from Washington seem to suggest that the Obama administration wants Israel to tone down and abandon its aggressive rhetoric vis-à-vis Iran. However, prime minister Netanyahu does not appear to be a man to heed such advice. On the contrary, he may be pushed to do exactly what he is threatening to do: make sure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb.

I am afraid there seems to be little chance a violent clash between Israel and Iran can be avoided. Such a clash will probably eliminate both Israel and Iran from the Middle Eastern chess board. Indeed, it would be a strategic masterstroke for the US to eliminate its major military rivals in the Middle East by setting them up to destroy each other.