This is what we heard in 1973. How many lives did that complacency cost? Why no mention of preemptive action? You don't think allowing enemies to get stronger is just plain stupid?

One, you assume we are dealing with rational players. That's not necessarily the case. Two, you fail to take into consideration miscalculations, incidents that can easily escalate.

would be an inconvenience for me and I hope the powers that be would take that into consideration before embarking on any adventures.

One of main players, Russia was at last yielded US demans and bargained with USA and sold Iran out for WTO Entry, possibly in September. Russia was delayed for 16 years to enter WTO, despite it fulfills all requirements. At last Novosti released that Russia is quite likely to join WTO at September. That means USA get something... it is quite likely Russia will turn blind eye to Israeli strika at Iran. Most recent arrest of Russian "spies", in fact empty allegation and there is someting not going well despite there seems USA in coniliation with Russia. Let us wait and see but it will most likely before September.

Why do you guys fear Saudi arabia gaining the same aircraft's you have(as I read on Haaretz) and have your Defense minister going all the way to Washington to ask the americans nicely not to sell those planes to the arabs?? What you say and what you do contradict each other!!!!

nuclear program reaches its finish line... Israel MUST act before the US Midterms in November in order to force Hussein Obama on board... (But not before September, as Janice mentioned) Once the US November elections are through, Hussein Obama can no longer be forced to act...and whatever happens in the election, he will remain President... THIS IS THE BASIC LINE ...!!!

Jihadis go down. TKO in the 1st round.

No war this summer Israel continues to maintain military superiority, faces no existential threat WHAT KIND OF IDIOTIC CALCULATING IS THIS ???. DO YOU THINK IRAN WILL SEND TANKS A COUPLE OF 1000 KILOMETERS TO TRY TO POSE A EXISTENTIAL TREATH TO ISRAEL ???. IT IS THEIR LONG RAGE MISSILES, WITH CEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL WARHEADS, WHO POSES THE EXISTENTIAL TREATH. THIS HOLDS ALSO TRUE REGARDING SYRIAS AND HIZBOLLAHS MISSILES. THIS IS RIGHT THOUGH - ‘Other war’ will continue - None of the “security-related” headlines of recent weeks – the crisis with Turkey, the flotilla incident, the lifting of the blockade, Gilad Shalit – foretell a war in the summer. While being big and loud, they do not truly pertain to the existential threats faced by Israel. All of them have to do with the “other war,” the one eroding Israel’s global legitimacy and Israeli society’s strength. This war, which we are losing for now, will continue in full force in summer. None of the “security-related” headlines of recent weeks – the crisis with Turkey, the flotilla incident, the lifting of the blockade, Gilad Shalit – foretell a war in the summer. While being big and loud, they do not truly pertain to the existential threats faced by Israel. All of them have to do with the “other war,” the one eroding Israel’s global legitimacy and Israeli society’s strength. This war, which we are losing for now, will continue in full force in summer. Arn.

Israel posing existential threat to their enemies... No. Israel, in having a military supremacy in her territory and being able to project it against her enemies is only paying an assurance that nobody will be able to destroy her. Not without paying an unbearable price. Think if it was NOT Israel, in this region, to have this supremacy: Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Iran have all expansionistic projects. Differently to Israel, they would use their supremacy to destroy their enemies and/or to annex wanted territories. Israel only uses her military supremacy to survive. It's a BIG difference.

I realize American Caucasian European college women like to rip away at us especialy me but they better hope there is no Israel Syria Hizbulah war that makes the miracle to save me before it is too late for me they cheated me all my life they may pay dearly for it no good roast beef and so Swiss steak for me college women made sure I never learned how to cook they better hope no miracle saves me they may pay dearly for cheating me 66 years and so July 2010 today America celebrates another holiday based up on cheating me they better hope no war happens to save me and so Schalot and so us Jews Arabs in general RIGHT ??? Thank You... M. S.

New rule: you can only use vis-a-vis once per article.

Never underestimate the forces of evil. Fishman is confused about the meaning of "existential threat." Iran does not have to have superior or even comparable military power to pose an existential threat. It simply needs to be able to inflict enough damage that Israel cannot fend off the air and land attacks from Hizbollah, Syria, Hamas, and, yes, the PA. One does not have to think too hard to imagine scenarios where Israel's superior weaponry will do it little good.

"We enjoy feeding our existential fears with new threats" writes Alex Fishman. The casual cruelty of this remark and the sloppy complacency of his analysis which others have already pointed out say more about him than about the Israel - Iran relationship.

This is really an idiotic calculation...

you forgot to mention that mullen was just here to tell israel that no preemptive attack would be tolerated and the same was true for obama that went the next day to saudi arabia...

This is israeli arrogance and stupidity at its best. Sounds like Eli Zeira before the Yom Kippur War. There is no chance of war, absolutely no chance, believe me I told you! Prepare for war at all times. War will come when least expected. focus on your enemies capabilities. Your enemies intentions can never be known. The author's arrogance is umbelievable. Maybe he is Zeira's brother.

I read a fascinating article on his blogspot regarding western perceptions of what is "rational" with regard to Middle-Eastern countries and how these perceptions often do not fit the circumstances because of opposing mentalities. Mr. Rubin accompanies his discourse with several cogent examples. A pro pos, the author's (of this article) depth analysis is lacking and the danger is that he will help put us to sleep. Vis a vis Dr. Barry Rubin, you can google his website; he is an excellent analyst.

Last weeks Torah portion enumerated the so called "curses" of Bilaam reversed by Hashem to positive declarations and admiration of the Jewish people. It says 3 things: (1) the Jews will be a people 'alone' . (2) Those who atempt to curse the Jews will themselves be cursed. (3) How goodly are your tents (achievements) O' Israel. The more the world attempts to isolate Israel and the more successful their endeavors, the more they guarantee that Hashem's prophesy and work will favor Israel even against the whole world.

to israil it is easy they can find a new name fore it . as the burning rays .. but to injad it is one name to any war .. you can put it but i will tell it after i read the article iam sorry to post before reading

Did I miss anything?

During a war, the Israeli public is able to absorb blows and continue to function. The indicators are that as far as Israeli society is concerned, the basis exists for a strong spirit of its citizens. The public will be willing to bear any burden required of them. No decline in the numbers of Israelis volunteering for combat units was noticeable in the period following the 2006 war. The civilian public remained supportive of the war throughout, although they began to question the strategy being pursued to win it. The lesson of Israeli public resilience in the period of the Palestinian attacks on civilians in urban areas in 2001-2003 indicates that the Israeli public--the views of its enemies notwithstanding--is able to absorb blows and continue to function, if it is convinced that no alternative to the conflict exists. More at : http://xrl.us/ostjf

IT SEEMS AS TO ME !!!. YOUR STATEMENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY TALKBACK. SURELY A MISS !!!. Arn.

#21- You are absolutely correct. In HaShem is your security, present and future! He Who never sleeps nor slumbers, is the One Who watches over Israel and her dear people! You are the "Apple of His eye", His beloved "Wife" from the days of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, and most of all, Israel is THE land He has promised to you FOREVER. Jerusalem is the only real estate in the whole world, about whose PEACE we are all commanded to pray. Shalom! We pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

I guess you can read but whaa........ thinking is a tough part of your existence,mate.