...I also would not worry. It is easy to be brave when you let others suffer the consequences.

First of all, Hezbollah is rather easily managed -- best would be pre-emptive -- but Israel can shut them down in a matter of hours. Iran cannot trust its military command and control systems, and its military is poorly equipped and not all that good. Iran cannot survive an Israeli double -- or triple -- tap; which Israel is quite capable of delivering. Will there be casualties? Yes, undoubtedly. All of them Lebanese and Iranian. I say go ahead. Teach those vile animals a lesson. The ones that manage to survive, that is -- and there will be precious few of those. Israel will emerge unscathed. Iran's vaunted missiles (all computer-driven and therefore highly suspect) are not battle-tested. They probably will not reach Israel. That said, it is important -- very important -- to remember that the Iranians will not even attempt a retaliatory strike against Israel -- they are far too cowardly for that. But they will try and strike a United States asset in the Gulf; likely a U.S. naval vessel. But that would be the United States' problem, wouldn't it? Did not Iraq "retaliate" against the United States in the 1991 Gulf War by sending SCUDs into Israel? Did the United States care? No. They were just intent on forcing Israel not to respond, for fear of breaking up their fragile "coalition." Well, here's a news flash. We don't care what the Iranians do. Again -- that would be the United States' problem, and Israel owes the United States absolutely nothing. We will demonstrate the exact same degree of concern that the United States demonstrated when Iraq started firing SCUDs into Israel. Which is to say -- none at all. Payback can surely be a bitch, you know? And the United States -- with its Arabist and Moslem agenda -- has had this coming. Deal with it. Israel's chief concern is Israel. The United States' chief concern is -- well, I guess the answer would depend on whom you ask. Try Obama, first. See what he has to say.

It all depends on the destructive force of the Iranian missiles , of they are. A small multiple of Saddam , then you are right , of they prove much more. Effective ,then you are wrong .

OMG... I love this Reccardo guy. He knows his stuff. Btw, as an American, I speak for many people when I say... we are 'war weary' and despite the need to take out Iran's nuke capability, Americans would not support a US military operation in Iran. And there is no way Obama would do this so close to elections. If a US strike were to materialize, it would definitely be mid to late November... NOT BEFORE... it would be political suicide.

I wouldn't worry too much about an Iranian strike on Israel. Firstly, they are cowards and secondly, I don't think Iran could punch its way out of a paper bag! They are bluffers! What a poor tactic to show!

the latest picture of Achmadinejad? He looks VERY worried and tired to me!

It is indeed easy to justify casualties if one does not reside in the country to be attacked. It is rather naive to life in the past and judge a country's military capability by the status of 10 years ago. As everyone knows, those terror groups are equally brain washed as the iranians are and dying in war against israel would be an honour to them. hence they would do things no reasonable thinking person would do or even consider. they will. those articles describe a best case scenario which is very unlikely to be the outcome. Sarah B, I suggest you move back to israel for supporting israel in the fall and lets see how strong your opinion about the strike will be then ... you write like 15 year old with disregard of political ties between US and Israel that are important to fight Hamas and Hezbolla (financial aid for military). without that, the cards would be mixed again ...

If I did not live in Israel or Iran do not involve myself in this issue. To go to war is a serious business. To express your opinion as to what is acceptable regarding predicted war casualties I find abhorrent from somebody who lives outside the line of fire. Please keep your views to yourself and let those who will be under missile fire express their opinion as to what are acceptable casualties.

half a million revolutionary guards who will cross a helpless Iraq and be in Syria in few days.

hundreds of properties damaged, a few soldiers killed, several missing in action, and several captured - multiple "Ron Arads" or "Gilad Shalits", some planes downed, and some crashing due to technical faults, and then there's the unexpected too. Small change - at least if you're Ehud Barak or Bibi Netanyahu. They're pushing us into a corner of "no choice" - and we're helpless to stop them.

The fact is, Israel has no choice. There will be no living with an Iranian bomb. Scenarios: Israel nuked, dirty bomb material exported around the world, cargo ship missile launch on the US from the 200 mile limit, missile launch from South America, nuclear arms race in the ME - just to name a few. No matter what the consequences are, Iran must be stopped! I live here. Am I happy about the aftermath of an Israeli strike? No. However, the alternative of containment strikes more fear in me. We have a narrow window now that we most likely will never have again. Strike while the iron is hot. And finally, no matter what you or anyone thinks, G_d has always been on our side and the place where He put His name will always be under the hand of His protection. The IAF may be victorious, but G_d gets the glory! May G_d give Benjamin Netanyahu the grace, strength, knowledge and wisdom to do what is necessary.

Israel has had hundreds of nuclear weapons for decades, and now the maniacs in the current Government are planning to attack a country that doesn't have one such weapon and doesn't look like having one for several years?? And let's not even talk about their not having the means to deliver one. But the idiot Netanyahu and his deluded sidekick Barak say ". . . 500 casualties, max!" Sounds more like a scene out of Doctor Strangelove than considered diplomacy.

I think you are considering traditional war only. In Afghanistan and Iraq the americans "lost". This is a fact! What do you say about instead of mining the Streit of Hormuz they close it with an assimetric war strategy aming Petroleum transportation ships? Something like magnetic mines, "home made" missiles and so on and so forth?

Until it did when it had the capability. Want to bet Iran will do the same thing ? I'll bet my entire life saving.

Thank you for your concern; it is misplaced. For one thing, why should Israel care if Iran chooses to respond to a pre-emptive Israeli strike by targeting a United States asset? It's not Israel's problem. We have an absolute right to attack a country that is devoted to the destruction of the State of Israel. We do not need "permission" from the United States, or any other country, to respond to existential threats from a hostile nation. Not that it is any of your business, but we are coming back to Israel later in the week. So take your "mixed cards" and shove them. You know absolutely nothing, and your puerile post at No. 7 is beyond ignorant. I suggest that you shut up.

Now that you've had your say, isn't it time for you to roll over and present your hindquarters? That you are obviously willing to do precisely that is what I find abhorrent. Please keep your views to yourself. In the concentration camps, you'd have been a kapo. What you are is a disgrace. You should be ashamed -- VERY ashamed -- of your sorry, sordid self.

So, you're willing to let slide the need to take out a country that (i) invaded the United States Embassy in Teheran (U.S. soil, in case you didn't know); (ii) took Americans hostage, and kept them in deplorable conditions for over a year); (iii) oversaw the desecration of the corpses of American servicemen who died in the pathetic U.S. attempt to rescue the hostages (the remains of those servicemen have never been repatriated; most likely because they were left in the desert to be consumed by vultures, hyenas and jackals); and (iv) burn United States flags routinely while decrying the United States to be the "great Satan." You're willing to let all that slide? For what -- a Moslem in the White House who has let the Middle East catch fire? Has it ever occurred to you that the present Moslem-in-chief, resident in the White House, has a private agenda? Hmm? How many Americans do YOU think he speaks for? Do you think his political ambitions should trump those of the United States? Do you?

im sick of hearing about it and hearing reason be thrown out the window. you talkbackers are dying for a war and honestly, at this stage i hope you all get what you wish for. i especially love people like Sarah B. Valiantly willing to gamble with the lives of those thousands of miles away from her comfortable chair

#2. I don't know which Sarah B you are, but you sort of "lost it" in the last half of your comment. First off, yor are a bit amaturish in your military analysis. Second, you and Israel "owe the US" a lot. If it has to be explained then you are a hopeless case. I urge Israel to get on with striking Iran using whatever is required to do the job.

Iranian troops would have much more pressing issues at hand than to focus on fighting a war with Israel.

Didn't know that you were such an expert in military matters !! It's good to know that someone in the States knows what will happen to us here and gives us hope. Thank you. Have a nice day

What's worse an enemy thats powerful or an enemy that's more powerful? Either way we are threatened with a war now or in the future. The idea is to man up and fight the fight and leave with a black eye then end up in hospital. Israel's stalling due to leaders hesitatiom to accept responsibility of whatever harsh outcome we will have to endure is only going to lead to a much harder and costly war in the future.

It will NOT test the US...that's for sure ! So it will restrain ALL of it's war efforts...

How dare Israel's government be considering another war that the US would be dragged into. You know we would have no choice but to assist Israel in such a horrendous decision. How dare you. You will bring down the economy of the United States and we will remember the war that was the final straw. How dare you.

You are wrong and I agree 100% with Sarah B.And by the way I am moving back at the end of the year and there are many more of us doing the same thing.

A 'reality check' is being kind. It's been speculated that she's not actually pro-Israel, but against Israel and posts here to stir up trouble. Why else does she say the things she does? It is absolutely vital that we maintain our close ties with the US, and almost every post of hers seeks to harm this alliance. Her post attacking the US comes out of nowhere as the article didn't even talk about the things she decided to bring up. She also plays so loose with the truth that much of what she says is patently untrue, if not outright lies. The exaggerations in her no.2 are a case in point.

Israel is surround on all sides by enemies that have openly vowed for her destruction. She has been attacked more time in her short history after her legitimate return than any western country. She has developed countless medical, technical and military breakthroughs that define the very reality of your comfortable lifestyle in the west. How dare YOU contend that Israel should risk her very existence just so you don't have to pay more than $4 for a gallon of gas! The truth is, the US DOES have a choice whether or not to come to Israel's defense. Israel, however, DOES NOT have a choice. It will have to fight for it's life regardless of what the US & the rest of the world does. Now get back to watching "The View".

have to take her seriously despite her insanity.

Israel never lose a war. The only war we dont won,yet,is against Hizbollah,but they are afraid. Iran has not nukes,yet,so, if has to attack, should do fast. Looks Israel already know how to do it,and probably when to do it. she just dont tell us. At least,not in jornal. There is a possible chance,after the nukes destruction, and the exit of Ahmadinejad, next year, that Iran try to better his relations with Israel and USA.