Caricature by Moshik!
The second highest ranking soldier in the country is today warning us of the imminent and growing danger from Iran and Hezbollah. This afternoon General Moshe Kaplinsky provided a grim picture as he went over the future of the Middle East and beyond. He made clear his belief that Iran is stalling and that Hezbollah is getting ready for round Two. Some excerpts from his speech to local government reps today:
“A nuclear capable Iran is a survival threat on Israel that will also have other effects in the Middle East – like pressure on unstable governments in the region. The Iranian threat will extend far beyond Israel and include most of Europe as well.”
“Iran is successfully maneuvering around the political pressure that is supposed to prevent her from getting new arms. Recently Iran received Russian made defense missiles, and there are advanced stage negotiations with China for future weapon deals. There are speculations and discussions about the nuclear capabilities for Iran but it is our understanding that Iran will reach its nuclear capability in the near future.”
“Iran is turning Syria into its protégé and is deepening its involvement in the country. Same as its doing in the Palestinian Authority. The Iranians are helping with money, training, establishing new terrorist cells and arms in Gaza and the West Bank. The Iranians are not excluding any terror group, regardless of religion or ideology, and as the connection between Hezbollah, Syria, Hamas and Iran continues we must be more worried and alert to the widening threat.”
Not commenting directly on the Baker Report released yesterday, the General said that depending on how the US will make its exit from Iraq, providing and answer on the question of Iraqi leadership will effect Israel and the entire Middle East.
The Good news is that as result of the Lebanon war there is a moderate Islamic nations Axis that includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and some of the Gulf countries. Together we may be able to find a common ground to work against the radical countries and the “axis of evil”.
The army has been under severe scrutiny in recent weeks starting with the lack luster results of the Second Lebanon War and the public mud slinging between some disgruntled commanders in the army and reserve soldiers. Things got worse recently with the Annual Public report put forward by the “State Controller” (Mevaker Hamedina) that sighted severe deficiencies in the training, logistical management and overall operations control within the Army.
“We are in the middle of a through examination and learning process from the last war. We are not looking to assign guilt, we are looking to learn and improve so that we can address the challenges the future will bring. We are not waiting and we have already began applying the lessons learned to improve and address known deficiencies.”
The caricature shows the Syrian, Iranian and Hezbollah leaders reading the report and asking if there is actually a need for an Atom bomb. Good question….
