Soetoro will do absolutely nothing to rein in Iranian efforts to become a nuclear power. He may speak of sanctions but that is hollow meaningless rhetoric and all the world knows it. With both Russia and China openly stating they will not participate or otherwise support such sanctions against Iran Soetoro's words are only air.
No one knows this better than Israel. No one has reason for greater fear of a nuclear Iran than Israel. In light of the actions taken against Israel by Soetoro and inactions not taken, the Israelis know where they stand. They have a front row seat to the "Arab spring" unfolding all around them, particularly in Egypt on their very doorstep and in Libya.
They have no doubt kept a keen eye on the reactions and bungling inactions of the leader of the free world concerning these developments and in light of Soetoro's openly calling for a return to Israel's 1947 borders they are soberly aware how completely alone they truly are in the eye of the storm. They know who's side he is on.
With all of this unfolding and nowhere to look for support Israel will IMHO act in its own defense with Operation Opera II, a sequel of 1981, this time in Iran. They have no choice. The situation in the middle east in 1981 was very different than the middle east of today. The region was much more stable then, as much as it ever could be anyway, and a massive tremor such as unleashed by the Israelis with Operation Opera was a calculated risk with a reasonably optimistic outcome, the entire region did not erupt in chaos and at the time Israel
could count on the unwavering support of the United States. As surprised and initially angry as President Reagan was at the time he was solidly in support of Israel.
The present situation in the region is very different today. Israel knows it is surrounded by enemies and short on friends. They also are no doubt aware that in light of proposed U.S. troop draw downs in the region and the feverish pace with which the Iranians are advancing their agenda that the time for action is nigh. Once the strike is made, successful or not, the Persian Gulf will become a rattled hornet's nest. Iranian President I'minajihad is emboldened by the fact that he knows Soetoro may be at least sympathetic to Islam and at worst a paper tiger. He will attempt to slam the Gulf shut to commerce, halting the flow of oil through the region. With U.S. forces stretched thin, an empty shirt in the White House and the fact the U.S. no longer has the 600 ship Navy built up by President Reagan, he has a reasonable chance of local success. $10/gal gas, anyone? This will play hell with world markets.
The Chinese would like nothing better. At a time when the U.S. Dollar is doing the dead guppy float and Beijing is holding a Royal Flush it will be a near run thing for the Dollar to remain the world's reserve currency and holding sway over the oil markets. IOW, we may be very close to being very ****ed.
I was born during the Johnson Administration and during the whole of my lifetime I do not believe America has been more wanting for decisive leadership. The Israelis have never been more alone or more threatened, I believe they will act sooner than later. They have no other choice.
http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/03/israeli-attack-on-iraqi-reactor-offers-history-lesson-for-obama/http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/01/an-israeli-preventive-attack-on-iran-nuclear-sites-implications-for-the-us
