Israel and the U.S. are going to release details of what was struck in the Syrian desert. You know, that innocent little country that said it was, hm, a warehouse.
Israel and the United States are coordinating the release of details on the air force strike in Syria last September, which foreign reports claim targeted a nuclear installation Syria was constructing withe North Korean assistance. American officials may reveal details of the strike later this month during congressional hearings.
Even though the defense establishment in Israel is opposed to any publication of details of the attack, the Prime Minister’s Bureau and the Bush administration are of the opinion that it is now possible to reveal details because there is little chance of a conflagration as a result of a Syrian decision to avenge the attack.
Iran and North Korea will be implicated.
The view in Washington and in Jerusalem is that publishing details of the attack will bolster Israel’s deterrence and may even lead Syria to cool its close ties with Iran and North Korea.
But Olmert will be going against the advice of the IDF.
Senior figures in the defense establishment and the Israel Defense Forces said in recent day that Israel must convince the Americans to deliver the report to Congress “in closed session.”
Intelligence analysts in Israel maintain that any further release of the details on the strike will contribute to the already tense situation between Syria and Israel, which has been exacerbated in part because of Hezbollah’s plans to avenge the assassination of the group’s terrorist mastermind, Imad Mughniyah.
I can see why the Bush Adminstration wants the information released. They think it will help get the UN and EU on their side in the Iran issue.
I think by this time, nobody is willing to do anything to stop Iran. And we get closer and closer to the dates that Israeli intelligence says Iran will have reached the point beyond which nothing we do will stop them from getting the bomb.
You’re right, nothing will help on the Iran issue. And even giving the information in closed session of Congress is too risky; the news will be in the New York Times the next day. Either make it public openly or not at all. With Zahal saying not to release it, I’d give them the benefit, and say keep it secret. It may blow some intel operation to make it public.