First it was reported that no raid took place and everyone was mum. Then the Israeli's let on that they may have indeed attacked a Syrian nuke facility and grew weirder when the Syrians admitted such at the UN then retracted the story. Now, al-Jazeera is reporting that it was the US Air Force in concert with Israeli support who attacked the base and they used a single tactical nuke:
The September 6 raid over Syria was carried out by the US Air Force, the Al-Jazeera Web site reported Friday. The Web site quoted Israeli and Arab sources as saying that two US jets armed with tactical nuclear weapons carried out an attack on a suspected nuclear site under construction.The sources added that each US plane carried one tactical nuclear weapon and that the site was hit by one bomb and was totally destroyed.
The sources were quoted as saying that Israeli F-15 and F-16 jets provided cover for the US planes.
A few thoughts why I think this is not true aside from the fact that we wouldn't use a nuke except in dire circumstances.
First, the report is based on "Israeli and Arab sources". Israel is by far the most secure nation in the world when it comes to security and secrecy. Who would have the clearance to know the circumstances and then tell al-Jazeera of all outlets? It seems extremely unlikely.
Second, the Israeli's have nukes but don't of course have a stealth vehicle with which to deliver it. They could have delivered it with any number of aircraft as the IAF is arguably the second or third most accomplished air military force on the planet (I'm sure the Indians, British and French would argue that case). Why would Bush agree to nuke a country we are not even at war with when the Israeli's could have done it themselves with their own weapons? It doesn't make sense.
Finally, the Bush administration would have had to brief the congressional leadership before he used a tactical nuke. The Dems would have said no and if they agreed would not have kept this from the New York Times or Washington Post because it would have bolstered their case against Bush at a time when any momentum is sorely needed. That too is the reason why Bush would never even attempt to ram this through. One would figure he'd have to get Pelosi, Reid and other senior leaders involved and get their blessing. He would have had to have crystal-clear intel, which would still have been disputed in light of the WMD fiasco and they never, ever would have gone along because the nutroots would go apeshit if they did.
This seems like just another story by al-Jazeera reported to get the Arab Street in a uproar and with the US putting the wood to al-Qaeda and making strides in Iraq, they no longer have that old standby.
First, the report is based on "Israeli and Arab sources". Israel is by far the most secure nation in the world when it comes to security and secrecy. Who would have the clearance to know the circumstances and then tell al-Jazeera of all outlets? It seems extremely unlikely.
Second, the Israeli's have nukes but don't of course have a stealth vehicle with which to deliver it. They could have delivered it with any number of aircraft as the IAF is arguably the second or third most accomplished air military force on the planet (I'm sure the Indians, British and French would argue that case). Why would Bush agree to nuke a country we are not even at war with when the Israeli's could have done it themselves with their own weapons? It doesn't make sense.
Finally, the Bush administration would have had to brief the congressional leadership before he used a tactical nuke. The Dems would have said no and if they agreed would not have kept this from the New York Times or Washington Post because it would have bolstered their case against Bush at a time when any momentum is sorely needed. That too is the reason why Bush would never even attempt to ram this through. One would figure he'd have to get Pelosi, Reid and other senior leaders involved and get their blessing. He would have had to have crystal-clear intel, which would still have been disputed in light of the WMD fiasco and they never, ever would have gone along because the nutroots would go apeshit if they did.
This seems like just another story by al-Jazeera reported to get the Arab Street in a uproar and with the US putting the wood to al-Qaeda and making strides in Iraq, they no longer have that old standby.
Picture via CBS News.
Update: The EU is contemplating sending a security force to the Palestinian territories. Just what Hamas needs, more targets.
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