I agree in principle with many of the points made by my opponent, but my analysis of their implications differs signifigantly. In truth, the US should not be seen to support any Israeli incursions into Iran. That gains nothing, and the costs are obvious. Those who believe we control Israel are not wanting for proof, those who do not will hear of none, and those who don't care, well...
But that is not to say that it isn't in our interests to /actually/ support an Israeli design on Iranian nuclear facilities. It is, from a necessarily cynical perspective, an excellent solution to what is otherwise a reasonably intractable problem: Iran will obtain nuclear weapons, eventually, without a military response of some sort. The present government is weak, but the hatred for Israel is strong, if perhaps less on a racial than a geopolitical level. Western culture itself is in my experience admired in its pragmatic form
( ... )
Re: Rebuttalex_lovecrafMarch 17 2005, 20:36:07 UTC
My opponent thinks that the US should covertly support Israel, which leads me to the conclusion that my opponent thinks the Arab world is really, really dumb.
It is common knowledge already that the US Department of Defense help Israel draft the plan of attack. More importantly, there is only one possible way to make the attack: Israel must fly through Iraqi airspace, an act which will require US approval.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia will not grant Israel permission to attack Iran through their airspaces - The Saudi government would lose control of it's populace where it to do such, and the Turkish government would not only face internal reprise, but would fear retaliation by Iranian missles. So that leaves Iraqi airspace as the only means Israel has of reaching.
This means there is no possibility of allowing the Israel attack and being seen as neutral or oppossed to the attack. It was partially our plan, the plan cannot be enacted without our permission. If we do as my opponent suggests and oppose the plan while allowing th
( ... )
My opponent thinks that the US should covertly support Israel, which leads me to the conclusion that my opponent thinks the Arab world is really, really dumb.
No, merely that those who will think this already think this, and will no matter what we do, such that it shouldn't really come into consideration.
It is common knowledge already that the US Department of Defense help Israel draft the plan of attack.
It's common knowledge that the moon landing was faked, and that Israel mistakenly attacked the USS Liberty. Common knowledge sometimes bears little relation to reality.
More importantly, there is only one possible way to make the attack: Israel must fly through Iraqi airspace, an act which will require US approval.
Assuming Israel isn't willing to violate another nations airspace to engage in the attack, and assuming that we cannot find any nation willing to participate along with us in faux-outrage. Neither assumption is warranted.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia will not grant Israel permission to attack Iran through their
( ... )
If we do as my opponent suggests and oppose the plan while allowing th attack, the message we will be sending to the Middle East will be crystal clear: we are untrustable liars who have a most insulting opinion of the intelligence of the Arab world.
My opponent believes we could recast our image by this route, but the truth is that we will only cement our image as impreialist aggressors with no respect for Arab soverignity.There is no silver bullet for the beast that is our public image in the middle east. The fact is that even if we had substantively opposed Israel's plan since the beginning and provided them with no aid at all, we would still be seen as imperialist conspirators by most of those whom you mention
( ... )
But that is not to say that it isn't in our interests to /actually/ support an Israeli design on Iranian nuclear facilities. It is, from a necessarily cynical perspective, an excellent solution to what is otherwise a reasonably intractable problem: Iran will obtain nuclear weapons, eventually, without a military response of some sort. The present government is weak, but the hatred for Israel is strong, if perhaps less on a racial than a geopolitical level. Western culture itself is in my experience admired in its pragmatic form ( ... )
Reply
It is common knowledge already that the US Department of Defense help Israel draft the plan of attack. More importantly, there is only one possible way to make the attack: Israel must fly through Iraqi airspace, an act which will require US approval.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia will not grant Israel permission to attack Iran through their airspaces - The Saudi government would lose control of it's populace where it to do such, and the Turkish government would not only face internal reprise, but would fear retaliation by Iranian missles. So that leaves Iraqi airspace as the only means Israel has of reaching.
This means there is no possibility of allowing the Israel attack and being seen as neutral or oppossed to the attack. It was partially our plan, the plan cannot be enacted without our permission. If we do as my opponent suggests and oppose the plan while allowing th ( ... )
Reply
No, merely that those who will think this already think this, and will no matter what we do, such that it shouldn't really come into consideration.
It is common knowledge already that the US Department of Defense help Israel draft the plan of attack.
It's common knowledge that the moon landing was faked, and that Israel mistakenly attacked the USS Liberty. Common knowledge sometimes bears little relation to reality.
More importantly, there is only one possible way to make the attack: Israel must fly through Iraqi airspace, an act which will require US approval.
Assuming Israel isn't willing to violate another nations airspace to engage in the attack, and assuming that we cannot find any nation willing to participate along with us in faux-outrage. Neither assumption is warranted.
Turkey and Saudi Arabia will not grant Israel permission to attack Iran through their ( ... )
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
My opponent believes we could recast our image by this route, but the truth is that we will only cement our image as impreialist aggressors with no respect for Arab soverignity.There is no silver bullet for the beast that is our public image in the middle east. The fact is that even if we had substantively opposed Israel's plan since the beginning and provided them with no aid at all, we would still be seen as imperialist conspirators by most of those whom you mention ( ... )
Reply
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