Obama Offers Umbrella For Iranian Storm

In a seeming capitulation to the prospect of a nuclear Iran, Haaretz.com is reporting that the Obama Administration will offer an “umbrella” to Israel against an Iranian nuclear attack. The site quoted a source who said the US will declare an attack against Israel by Iran would result in a “devastating” nuclear response by the US.

During his campaign, Obama's position on Tehran was all over the place. In the early stages of the primaries, Obama famously stumbled through a response to a question concerning relations with rogue nations – saying said that he would meet with leaders without preconditions. The response elicited howls from his rivals, including one Joe Biden. However, as the season wore on and Obama’s chances of election seemed likely, he took on a more somber stance toward the Iranian regime.

Obama’s campaign website outlined this approach to Iranian diplomacy:

Present the Iranian regime with a clear choice. If Iran abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, they would offer incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization. If Iran continues its troubling behavior, Obama and Biden will step up our economic pressure and political isolation.

This approach is kind of like a mall security guard attempting to pursue a fleeing shoplifter - “Stop! Or I’ll yell stop again!”

I’m not sure what exactly this latest policy statement is meant to convey – beyond what’s already known and has been said – other than signal to Ahmadinejad that the US is busy on other matters, and he will be taken at his word that his country is only using its nuclear capacity for peaceful means.

Israel isn’t buying it, and neither am I.