Despite Israel’s top-notch air force, launching a long-range strike against a multitude of hidden targets in Iran entails huge risks and uncertain rewards. At most, say Israeli intelligence sources, an attack — which Israel would only undertake with a nod and perhaps logistical support from the U.S. — is likely to stall Iran’s program by [...]

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On Israel’s 60th birthday, the Jewish state may be readying for its biggest fight yet. What that could mean for the next American president.
Arguably, it is at even greater risk now than it was then. Very soon now Israel could be engaged in the biggest battle for existence it has ever faced in its not-so-short-any-longer [...]

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But officials portray Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak as having little interest in a deal with Hamas. They acknowledge that a suspension of attacks by both sides might make the ongoing peace talks easier — and that the outbreak of an all-out conflict would almost certainly kill the Annapolis process. Yet, [...]

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Arab and Israeli rivals are preparing for the possibility of an imminent major war while simultaneously trying to talk down the rising tensions.
Israeli officials on Thursday attempted to ease the speculation of a new military confrontation prompted by reports of military preparations, deployments and drills, with assurances that Israel has no plans to attack Syria.
“Israel [...]

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