I think the Israelis can make it very, very costly for Iran; and Iran can suffer much destruction in the process. What I DO know is that Iran is run by a bunch of crazy mullahs, who must be stopped. If Israel is the only country to the stones to see to it, than so be it. It doesn't make the Israelis "cowboys," it simply reaffirms the inability of other countries (the U.S., the Europeans, Australia) to put teeth into their rhetoric. Cowards they always have been; cowards they always will be. Let Israel the tone of the degree of force needed to stop all those crazy Jihadist mullahs. Sigh. Someone has to do it and, as always, the task of securing world peace and security falls to Israel.

Unipolar world has gone, with the wind. Embrace change and deal with your *real* problem: occupation and apartheid. Nuclear deterrance would keep the peace in the neighborhood.

I'm ashamed to be from the US. We have turned our back on you. Our new president has embraced your enemies. G_d will curse us for this. Please destroy Iran and Damascus. No talks will take away their hate for you. G_d is with you always. Isaiah 17 is a very interesting read. Praying for your nation.

Obama says: Prevention of the cat(Iran) drinking the milk(Nuclear bomb) depends on the cat deciding not to drink the milk. Anybody hoooome?

gates wiping Israel off the map and the complete annihilation of the Jewish Nation will not save you from the same fate

OF COUSE IT WILL NOT, THE US HAS SEEN TO THAT, BY SITTING ON ITS HANDS !!!. Gates: Israeli attack on Iran won't stop nuclear program US defense secretary tells Marine Corps University students Israeli strike would 'cement Iranians determination to have a nuclear program'; says acquisition of nuclear bomb can only be prevented if 'Iranians themselves decide it's too costly' FURTHER - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned this week that an Israeli attack on Iran would have dangerous consequences, and claimed that Tehran's acquisition of a nuclear bomb can be prevented only if "Iranians themselves decide it's too costly," the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. IRAN WILL NOT EVER STOP THEIR MARCH AGAINST NUCES. Gates said that while an Israeli strike would likely delay the Islamic Republic's nuclear program one to three years, it would also "cement their (Iranians) determination to have a nuclear program, and also build into the whole country an undying hatred of whoever hits them." YES IT WILL ONLY DELAY THEM A COUPLE OF YEARS. BUT THE HATRED AGAINST ISRAEL CAN BE NO MORE SEVERE THAN THE IRANIAN THREATH TO WIPE ISRAEL FROM THE MAP. THE WORLD DO NOT NEED MORE JERKISH UTTTERANCES FROM UNCLE SAMT REPRESENTATIVES. ONCLE SAM IS THE LOOSER IN THIS CASE. BY LOSER !!!. Orao.

If Israel would have not striked Iraq in 1981, annexation of kuwait state would have been in 1981 instead of held in 1990. World and Arab nation knows the fact but they have to keep their mouth shut , since fanatic muslims are opting violent tactics. Striking at iran will only realize the strength of israel and the rat countries promising to support iran will jump out when water gets inside the boat.

in this anti Zionist administration. Just because someone is sec of defense does not make him a military genius as we have seen with peretz. gates is just following orders from his master, just as a good dhimimi should. gates will weaken the U.S. defenses for obama and cause more U.S. military to die in the future.

America works for the mullahs

Appeasers always act and say the same things. Basically they are scared to death. They are so scared they can't drink the coffee without spilling most of it. Appeasers are so controlled by their fear that all their actions become irrational and dangerous. Never listen to or cooperate with an appeaser.

ALLEGORY: WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE AT SOMETIME,WHY THEN DO WE HAVE DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS,?WE PUT OFF SUCH A FATEFUL DAY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.EVEN IF DEATH CAN BE POSTPONED FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS BY BOMBING IRAN,THERE WOULD BE APPROVE IF THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO CURTAIL THE SABRE RATTLING OFIRAN"S "DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED LEADERS.WHEN IT COMES TO THE CRUNCH WE HAVE TO STAND ALONE FOR NO OTHER COUNTRY WILL IDENTIFY WITH US.BETTER A PYRRIC VICTORY THAN NONE ATALL

Israel would bring upon itself the "undying hate" of a whole nation.if it attacked Iran. Where does Gates live, in "Cukoo Land" Any nation that threatens to "wipe off the face of the Earth" another nation isn't spouting "Peace & brotherly Love" Wake up Gates!!

That is an art of twist Gates, bad legacy of bush government, signalled for strike to Israel, 1 or 3 years delay, possibly 1 year only would need a cost benefit analysis if it is worth considering Iranian hit back hard to Israel. Look at your front pages, and count word Iran. how many times iran seen? It is a heave obsession for Israel, and I believe Israeli newspapers even use Iran name more than Iranian newspapers!

How Israel can make it costly? do u really still rely on Israel's capabilities? how can it cope with a whole country since it has failed to eradicate resistance groups in Lebanon and even in Gaza. If Iran is being run by a bunch of crazy mullahs then y US is engaged in talks rather than stopping it militarily? Wake up... world has changed. An illusive ideology cant survive here.

wants to be the bully in the neighborhood and therefore held above the law and no justice in Palestine

But most Americans (including myself) careless who has nukes in mideast and who shouldn't have it. We have families and homes to worry about and care for rather than sending our kids to die in Iran deserts and mountains so the Ethiopian, Ukrainian, & other Jewish settlers in Palestine can feel more secure to murder Palestinians and take their lands.

To Israel.The sequence of various dignitaries talking about an unwise move to attack Iran seems to be increasing by the day.Will someone ponder on the issue or shall we follow Sarah of New York?

Nour, look in the mirror: you see a human shield! Do you actually believe the radiations of a nuke on Jerusalem will spare Ramallah and Bethlehem? Or did the mullahs promise you 72 virgins if you share your fate with the Jews? Aryan iranians do not care for the life of any subhuman semite, be them Jews or Arabs: maybe it is their way to fight "apartheid"?

we will hit again in 3 years too!

If the Iran resumes its program after the first attack, other attacks will follow. Iran must be striked until they stop their program.

I guess that the current administration is reaching out to Iran (and other fundamentalist Islamic nations) because they have forgotten the events of September 11th. Or the USS Cole. Or the Embassies in Kinshasa and Nairobi. Because they think that the War on Terror is somehow not a War on Islam. Or because the sky is blue. I don't know what they are thinking. By the way, Iran may be able to build a nuclear weapon, but they lack the ability to deliver it effectively. For the record as well, Israel can survive a first strike. Iran cannot. They will be so hammered by the Israeli response, it will take them several centuries to recover. Do I believe in Israel's capability. You bet. Can you spell Osirac? Can you spell Sudan? Israel just needs to get over a certain delicacy about civilian losses in Gaza. Do you think that the country that pulled off the raid on the Iraqi reactor and the recent raid on Sudan isn't capable of a Dresden-type operation in Gaza and South Lebanon? They are. They most assuredly are.

Iranians are only holding crackers in their hand and will allow you to keep on coming repeatedly.May be the Canadians can assist?

Stephanie if you are ashamed to be from the US, Then get the hell out, idiot!

The result of non violence advocates and extreme left militants : Hitler -1930 and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – 2009. By any reasonable standard, self-styled peace activists might be expected to condemn leaders who support terrorism and who unashamedly seek the destruction of other nations. But just as advocates of non-violence found a way to accommodate the genocidal designs of Adolph Hitler, so they have been willing to make peace with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. And just as Gandhi never expressed remorse for his “dear friend” letters to Hitler, its unlikely that these supposed believers in non-violence will break a dinner date with his Iranian heir. More about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threat to Israel at : http://xrl.us/ormpg

He is telling the Israelis: "you are too small to challenge Iran, let the bog boys play the game and stay quiet". It's clear that too many Israelis have the "saddam syndrome" thinking they are a world power!!!!

During the cold war both side understood the MAD ( mutualy assured destruction ) neither side wanted a war and knew what would happen if they started one. Its religious that matters most not logic & all that matters is Alahs will. The mullahs no have no fear of death how can you threaten them... and without fear MAD doesn't work. It is true Israel can only delay things but at least it can give the diplomats time to play more games or change their policies and accept that diplomacy has failed and they need to finish what Israel started. America has the ability to destroy Irans conventional & WMD programs within a week of air strikes alone. There are 2 carrier fleets & airbases in the Gulf right now all armed with the latest American weapons. Iran is currently developing on longer range and more advanced missiles all the time & anti ship missiles & they are buying Russian aor defenses. Does the US want to find itself that in possible they might have no choice but to go to war they could find themselves facing a stronger Iran which could mean more casualties. What happens if Iran develops ICBMS & nukes because of the US non confrontation policy? How will Obama and his policies be remebered when the first missile with a conventional or non conventional warhead hits mainland USA? Gates is still thinking like this is the Cold War and Obama has ruled out military action under any circumstances and is instead thinking about how many more concessions the US will make. Its al politics to him and he is terrified of conrontation political or military.

We didn't forget 911, I think you forgot that we took that hit because of our support for Israel. We took out Saddam because he was paying $50,000.00 to suicide bombers, Why do think Olmert said "George Bush did more for Israel than anyone would ever know". Americans are proud to be, and will always be committed to Israels security, but we would rather be a peace loving than a war monger. Shame on you.

It is up to Israel and not Gates and Biden to determine when is the best time for Israel to act on Iran. The world committed horrible mistake and 6 million jews were massacred during the hitler's time. Clinton did the same mistake and about 1 million tutsi were massacred again. I am wondering why the Democrats never feel ashamed of such horrible gross negligency. They cant read times and actions?

Had nothing to do with U.S. support of Israel. We are dealing with a worldwide terror network that resents United States presence anywhere. There have also been terror attacks in Latin America, the Far East and Europe. Which had nothing to do with Israel. Surely you do not mean to suggest that the U.S. should relent and retreat into pure isolationism. Oh -- and by the way -- on September 11, the United States got a little taste of what Israel has endured for sixty-plus years.