This is all absurd, the notion that Israel would not have prepared a military strike (long distance). So what? The M.E. Arab countries have for at least 10 years been preparing a biological/chemical war ("the poor man's atomic bomb") against the Jewish state. This is nothing new or exciting. Syria has over 700 advanced Scuds (Cs and Ds) with bc warheads. Iran will have the bomb in 2 years. Iraq's Saddam wanted to "Incinerate" Israel. Even little Lebanon has 70,000 in it's army, and let us not forget Egypt's navy with Cruise type missiles. If Israel were not prepared, and with tactical or high fusion bombs, it might as well fold up now and save itself a lot of trouble.

I don't believe Israel would be stupid to use nuclear weapons on Iran, if Iran's nuclear facilities are attacked it will be with more conventional weaponry. That is a much more likely situation. However, if Israel does use nuclear weapons on Iran (even tactical bunker busters) then World War III will no doubt start.

Reality Check , world

And I for one say go for it. The US, be it burned out Bush or the Socialist-Communists now in control of the US Congress won't lift a finger to stop Iran. And Iran knows it.

If you are so afraid that you will be wiped out, go to Australia. It is a British colony, has a lot of desert to make green, just like Palestine. And there are only a few locals to kill and disperse, why stay in a place that you are not welcome to?

That's what they plan to do to us. So, I fail to see why it's unrealistic for us to use whatever it takes to eliminate the threat to our survival as a country. Necessity makes it's own rules - nothing is unthinkable.

We need to question why the Iranian regime seems to so openly be courting an Israeli strike by Ahmedinejad's constant "wipe israel off the map" remarks and the holocaust denial conference. There are reports that Iran has covertly purchased a few nuclear warheads from former soviet republics...an Israeli strike may be a pretext to use those weapons "in retaliation" or "self defense." This is a truly horrible situation, not sure what Israel can do, really the only country that can stop Iran's plans is the United States- let's pray George Bush does it.

If Iran goes nuclear, then Israel may eventually be forced to disclose (formally) its nuclear hand. In such a case, expect something like the Cold War between the US and the USSR, with a lot of ally-gathering, saber rattling, bluster, brinkmanship, and the occasional war scare (and/or proxy war in places like Somalia). I doubt it would actually come to a direct war between the countries, though.

The Air Force men should know if "conventional" bombs are technically sufficient in order to inflict decisive damage to the Iranian facilities. Using nuclear weapons - even tactical ones - would cause unprecedented political implications.

Olmert is the master (or slave to) spin. So he managed to arrange a detailed article written in the Times. But we now know that EVERYTHING he says is to be understood as the opposite. All his bluster and bluffing leading up to, through and after the Lebanon war was just spin. And now through this article the Iranians know that he will NEVER EVER use tactical nuclear weapons against them and that there will never be a preemptive strike on his watch. They also know that Olmert's trip to China will yield nothing with the exception of some business deals for Olmert and his friends. No doubt the ayatollahs encouraged their Chinese friends to throw their virtual operative, Olmert, a few bones that will make him drool even more.

Are you ready for Iran's retaliation? Iran is no Arabia, they will retaliate with all their might and god know, they have been preparing for this for a long time. Their retaliation will make Hisbullah's recent response a child's play. Your best bet is to make peace with the Palestinians. Your existence depends on it.

Right back at you! Pls remind me what do the Dutch do in West Indies to start with? At least the Jews have a legitimate claim over this area of the world...

Interesting comment, stupid and ignorant though.... you say you live in the West Indies, which is called the Netherlands Antillen. It was conquered by the Dutch in the 17th century. I wonder Alex if you are a local or originally Dutch citizen....if you are Dutch, maybe YOU should go back to the Netherlands, you took this Island from the local population....look in the mirror before you spew your hate...

As realistic as Plan B , C or D.

But I do know that should Israel decide to go after the nuclear sites in Iran, and should Iran attempt to strike back, the Israeli military will not use a light touch on Iran as it did in Lebanon. The reason Lebanon was not completely levelled is that Israel attempted as strategic a strike as possible. This likely will not be the scenario in Iran. This will be all out war. And war is bloody. And unfortunately, there will a lot of Iranian blood shed at that time. Who wants so much death and destruction? The only group that I hear preaching for death is the parents and families or suicide bombers and those who support them. Please examine why groups actually support this way of living. It truly is counter productive and truly is barbaric. To even see American Moslems praise the suicide bombers is disgraceful and really shows what type of education they have received from their schools and parents. Hate only leads to hate. Examine it closely.

What is being discussed here is a pre-emptive nuclear strike that cause unforeseen consequences. What if such a strike with tactical nukes only does half the job? Yet the precedent has been set. A better, more assured outcome may be achieved with a large special forces strikes. Overwhelming air dominance will deny movement to anything larger than a platoon. In the meantime Special forces battle groups can do the job thoroughly and deal with scientific - technical HR assets, too. Unfortuneately, this kind of operation requires considerable strategic lift and reach, but it is doable if the right countries are in.