Maybe Prof Yona is right, and and it's OK to go MAD (mutually assured destruction) But what if he's not, and as soon as iran has the means, it attacks to destroy Israel and Judaism, regardless of the consequences? Will we be able to have another academic debate about it in Ynet?? ...or will the few Jews left on earth be mourning another Hoocaust?

The comment detracts from the credibility of the author, it is totally off topic Perhaps Prof Yona could not hold himself back from taking a jube at the settler movement. "conduct in the past three decades does not enable it to be attached to the enlightened and rational community of nations, particularly in light of the fundamentalist zeal that accompanied the settlement enterprise." If I am not for myself then who will be. I would rather pay $1 trillion than be a roasted Dove 'Yona'

Eventually, Israel must accept the fact that they are not going to be the only country that owns nuclear weapon in the ME. Nuclear armed Iran is the only way to get Israel to be 'nice' to its neighbours.

Dear Professor Yona, Would you mind please informing us, the readers, who exactly there is to talk to and what exactly there is to talk about with Iran's leadership, which openly declares its fondest wishes to "wipe Israel off the map", threatens the US and Europe, and which takes its orders from Allah, and not from reason? Barring any such evidence of moderation, do you still think we should appease our mortal enemies with continued fruitless negotiations? And under what circumstances would you prefer military action and regime change in Iran? Should we in Israel wait to be attacked with Islamist WMDs? Your answers to these simple questions would be greatly appreciated. Failure to answer these questions will logically point to the weakness and improbability of your argument. Shanah Tovah to everyone!

If Professor Yona wishes to theorize in the classroom about Iran's desire to use the Bomb, he has every right. However, I do not want to see Israel with a Sword of Damocles held over its head, held by a genocidal Islamofascist maniac. Hitler declared often that his goal was to kill the Jews, and he followed through.... why shouldn't Ahmadinejad, who openly seeks Armageddon and Israel's utter destruction?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But I would hope a lecturer and "Senior Fellow" could do a better job supporting his opinion. Professor Yona questions the assumed link between Iran's threats to "erase Israel off the map" and its development of the weapons needed to accomplish it. He forgets to mention that the "moderate" who lost to Ahmadinejad has publicly suggested it would be worth sacrificing the lives of millions of Muslims in order to destroy Israel. In fact, Professor Yona presents no evidence, nor any cogent arguments, that there is not a direct link between Iran's threats and drive to develop nukes. Instead, he offers familiar admonitions about "think[ing] about the day after" and "methodical thinking about... objectives." The Professor concludes his initial argument by misappropriating Von Clausewitz. To wit, since "war is the continuation of policy by other means," Professor Yona surmises that more diplomacy will do just as well. Never mind that to Von Clausewitz defensive wars are justified and should be fought to achieve decisive victory. From there, Professor Yona offers up the same old, discredited thinking. He argues that Israel should rule out military action because Iran's nuke sites are not sitting ducks; because Iran might dare to respond; and because other countries are also threatened by Iran. Finally, Professor Yona gets to the punchline. He proposes a stalemate modeled on the Cold War. With, of course, lots of diplomacy to make it work. There's just one problem: the USSR pursued its irrational goals rationally. Islamic fascists, in contrast, value death more than we value life. I wouldn't be surprised to see such a weak column written by an American professor. Our schools have been taken over by 1960s radicals who consider the study of history to be a waste of time (with the exception of enlightened investigations into, say, the role of feminists in 16th century France). But I would expect an Israeli professor to be under a bit more pressure to think realistically. The solution to the Iranian threat must be a strategy to prevent Iran from nuking Tel Aviv. The Iranian fascists have shown convincingly that for them war is also the continuation of policy. And "Death to Israel!" is the cornerstone of their policy--the professor's learned denial notwithstanding.

We must prepare. Build many bomb shelters. Many. Develope the evacuation plan from Tel Aviv. We may have to remove all the population from Tel Aviv to Judea and Samaria in 3-5 days whe the ayom bomb attack will be in the works. There is no question that Iran will attack somebody with an atom bomb. None. It probably be some place in Europe (where it easier to get with a bomb, presumably France); the other reason is the Europe will do nothing. The Iranians can't kill all infidels at once so the they need time for a few more strikes.

this a very good idea - the world dealt with hitler during WW2 and did cost us any money - our economy wasnot impacted at all - this is a difficult problem - threfore let's do nothing - or better let the UN handle it ... you have learned nothing from the past - save your bank account

Diplomacy has no room to function in the face of a Hitler that wants to annihilate Israel (Holocaust Round 2) with nuke. Iran has publically announced their intention to annihilate Israel repeatedly. Iran is feverishly working on its nuke program to accomplish its dark goal. Israel has no other choice but to eliminate this existential threat. Israel cannot afford to have Holocaust Round 2. The Free World should support Israel in defending itself against the dark forces. This is not a clash of civilization between the East and West. This is about the ambition of the dark forces for world domination.

So, another pundit who tells us the military option is no good. Let the world handle it, let the UN and EU stop the program. Is this a sad joke? The UN has done nothing. The EU has extended deadline after deadline and still has no agreement. Israel's exeperience with the EU and the UN should awaken it to the effect that Israel can expect no help from the world and only sporadic help from the US. However, with the present government in Israel and the idiots currently running the IDF, the military option is not viable at this time. Perhaps when we have real leaders who are committed to the survival of Israel can we get something done. Not until.

there is nothing to talk to Iran about. Ahmadinejad said quite clearly that the loss of 1/3 of Iran would be acceptable if Israel were destroyed. Ahmadinejad is a member of a relatively small death cult that seeks Armageddon. And there is nothing to talk to Muslims about. Look at their reaction to the Pope's comments which probably not 1% of them have read in context. Islam makes it quite clear that it seeks world domination so what is there to discuss here? How to surrender ? The choices, sadly, are to forcibly resist Islam and its bullying or to surrender and have our wives and daughters wear burkas. The writing is very clearly on the wall here like it was in the early 1930’s and we still have blind people telling us ‘talk to them’. A bad joke by a blind man!

"The challenge would be to reach political agreements in the era of a nuclear balance of terror, with Israel not the only one in the region possessing non-conventional weapons. " - so writes Yona. This is naive at best, but more likely dangerous. If Jordan or Egypt, even Lebanon were to aquire Nuclear weapons, such an agreement would be possible. How does one make agreements with dictatorial regimes, such as Iran? It's current leader is a nut-job with a twisted view of history and a deep belief in his mission of "restoring the Middle East to Muslim authority". If there were some method of reaching an agreement - and some way of keeping it with Ahmenidjad - what would happen when the next leader takes up his position? Syria is even a more unstable partner for agreements. It's current Alawite dictator could be quite reasonably overthrown. What agreements would stand with the new leader? No - Yona is dreaming. It's a nice dream. But it's also a fantastical one. We live in a real world and the prospect of an Iranian Nuclear bomb is a real threat for disaster aimed solely at Israel. Israel will not be winning any popularity polls in the ME in the future. We really do need to put this thought aside and demand the world take steps now or we will. America is not under threat from Iran. Neither is the UK. The threat is directed solely at us - and this time we have to step up to the plate and respond.

Would you have given that advice to Britain in 1938? Would it have been wise to tell Britain, "Germany is Europe's problem, not Britain's alone? Or would it have been wiser if, taking note of Germany'/s relentless arms buildup and its illegal occupation of the Rheinland, England had unilaterally launched a massive surprise air attack against Germany's arms industries and military bases, in order to crush the Nazi regime before it killed tens of millions of people?

Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's strive for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. With all the peace-loving, stable regimes out here, I wouldn't worry for one minute about the entire region slipping into nuclear fallout because of some idiot radical Islamist that got his hands on some nukes. Another self-defeating Israeli to add to the count.

I'm sorry to tell you Israelis, the party is truly over. Nuclear monopoly in the Middle East is a distant memory now, other powerful civilizations have the right to nuclear energy AND weapons provided these countries are signatories to the non-proliferation treaties. They are good deterence toys and history proved that. Israel on the other hand has continued to evade its responsabilities, refuses to sign NPTs, harbors a stock of 200 nuclear heads, and unleashes depleted uranium bombs on the children of Lebanon with ugly consequences. This existential threat is pure fantasy of the israeli mind. The truth is, and will continue to be, that Israel being a historical anomaly built on the ruins of Arab villages cannot exist without war. Blood and terors are its founding pillars. Its raison-d'etre! http://www.palestinerememebered.com Galilee and Palestine forever in our hearts.

...and justifiably so! Israel would never dare to open the can of worms.... Territorially and geographically, it amounts to suicide. Now let's go back and address the real issue: "The truth is that Israel is an historical anomaly. It is a settler state founded in an era of global decolonization. Far from being a refuge against anti-Semitism, the establishment of a racialist state on Palestinian land has isolated the Jewish people from all other oppressed peoples fighting for self-determination. Israel’s history of suppressing the national aspirations of the Palestinian people, its alliance with apartheid-era South Africa and its slavish following of U.S. foreign policy has made it a pariah nation among the peoples of the world. "... http://defendersfje.tripod.com/id18.html http://www.palestineremembered.com

...and justifiably so! Israel would never dare to open the can of worms.... Territorially and geographically, it amounts to suicide. Now let's go back and address the real issue: "The truth is that Israel is an historical anomaly. It is a settler state founded in an era of global decolonization. Far from being a refuge against anti-Semitism, the establishment of a racialist state on Palestinian land has isolated the Jewish people from all other oppressed peoples fighting for self-determination. Israel’s history of suppressing the national aspirations of the Palestinian people, its alliance with apartheid-era South Africa and its slavish following of U.S. foreign policy has made it a pariah nation among the peoples of the world. "... http://defendersfje.tripod.com/id18.html http://www.palestineremembered.com

even the united states with all its military might with several aircraft carriers, 155000 thousand fully equipped army dyg in iraq just on the border of iran and several other tens of thousands of marines scattered from the gulf to turkey to afghanustan and is very hesitatnt to attack iran !!! Now thinking of the situation from other prespectives: 1. Israel military was defeated against hizbullah ... i.e 2000-3000 fighters trained by iran .... So whats the chances of israel in a war against 80 million population of iran .. looks very grim unless nuclear bombs are used against iran ... Is israel willing to use nuclear bombs .... am sure they will !!!!! 2. As said in the article ... iran in is not iraq in 1982 ... any attack on iran will unleash a wave of missiles that will rain starting from dimona nuclear plant to tel aviv .... haifa leave it for us :) hizbollah will bomb it again as well as most of north of israel. 3. the only solution to the middle east is peace ... peace that will give the rights back to its legitimate owners .. israels understanging now of unconditional peace is " unconditional surrender" .... well u can force that on some puppet governements in some of the arabic countries but at the end .... these regimes from egypt to jordan to PA to morocco to ..to .. to ... they dont represent anything except the people who are in power. You can force such treaties on weak hearted government sbut the public anger .... and the will to fight is there and its strength has beeen shown most recently by hizbullah resistance against all the might of the israeli army ! So what kind of peace are we talking about ... its peace between equal powers ... a nuclear iran with a nuclear deterrance against israeli deterrance will be the recipe for true peace ... Enyone ever asked why someone like Ahmedinajad .. an iranain thousands of miles from israel still threats israel ... very simple look into the mirror and to ur " colorful" history of love and peace wih your neighbours and ull know the results. Give the rights to their people ... give back the occupied territories... removed the settlements ... and then maybe maybe u can avoid this region further wars and bloodshed!!!!

and u did not post it !!??? what was so dangerous about my talk back ? you say that ur the only democracy in the middle east ...isnt free of speech and thoghts part of this democracy !!! i will appreciate if you would post both of my talk backs !!!!

In my opinion, the best way to deal with this problem is to provide CLEAR and REAL support for the student / opposition from within Iranian soil. This will not only create anarchy in the country, it will also provide a means for changing the current regime and hopefully getting a more intelligent government in place. I have yet to understand, why the US flip flops from support for the opposition from within.

Then Israel would no longer be the bully in the neighborhood. Then Israel might have to consider negotiating its differences with other countries in the Middle East instead of waging endless wars against them. Then Israel might have to follow UN Resolution 242 and move back to its pre-1967 borders. Contrary to what the the zionists and their jewish neo-con allies in the United States say, the rest of the civilized world is not intimidated by a nuclear armed Iran. We lived through the Cold War. Nuclear weapons brought balance and fearful reasoning to the major nations playing that game. The Iranians who will control the "trigger" of those nukes will be just as careful(maybe more so) as the Israelis who do the same thing. The policy of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) will be good for the Middle East in general and the Palestinians in particular. It will be a sobering reality to all parties involved. And by the way, don't tell me that the Iranians are run by madmen who will use the bomb. Go read "The Sampson Option" by Seymour Hirsch before you start telling me the Iranians are insane.

WHERE DO THESE SELF-AGGRANDIZING (CAIN'T WE JUST GET ALONG)NAIVE USEFUL IDIOTS HIDE IN TIME OF PERIL?THEIR AGENDA OF OBLIVIOUSNESS TO TERRORISTS IS FATALLY FLAWED .NEVER AGAIN,THEY COULDN'T POSSIBLY KILL EVERYONE! CIRCA 1940's REMENBER!!!!

you can not retaliate if your dead.

but still thank you !

Prepare for schizophrenic screams of "appeaser," "self-hater" and "leftie" from the resident chickenhawks here.

It happens to me, too, especially when I write unflatteringly about the religious and right-wingers. It seems it's OK to incite and use terminology worse than the KKK on YNet, so long as it's only against Arabs, Palestinians and non-rightists.

Especially considering the usual crap you sent us so far.