Israeli Bombings could lead to Escalation of Middle East War

by Michel Chossudovsky, GlobalResearch.ca

Following the bombings of Beirut by Israel, there is a danger that the
US sponsored Middle East war, which is at present characterized by three
distinct war theaters (Afghanistan, Palestine and Iraq) will escalate
and extend to the entire Middle East - Central Asian region.

The bombings of Lebanon are part of a carefully planned military agenda.
They are not spontaneous acts of reprisal by Israel. They are acts of
provocation.

The attacks could indeed be used as a pretext to trigger a much broader
military operation, which is already in the active planning stage. In
all likelihood, the bombings were conducted with Washington’s approval.

The timing of these bombings coincides with the showdown with Iran
regarding its alleged nuclear weapons’ program. They should be viewed
and analyzed in relation to US-Israeli geopolitical and strategic
interests in the broader region.

The Beirut bombings should also be understood in relation to the
withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, which has opened up a new
space, for the deployment of Israeli forces.

Since 2004, the US, Israel and Turkey have formulated concrete war plans
involving air raids on Iran’s nuclear sites. Israel is slated to play a
direct role in the US sponsored military operation against Iran, which
is also the object of consultations at the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg
on July 15-17.

Since late 2004, Israel has been stockpiling US made weapons systems in
anticipation of an attack on Iran. This stockpiling which is financed by
US military aid was largely completed in June 2005. Israel has taken
delivery from the US of several thousand "smart air launched weapons"
including some 500 ’bunker-buster’ bombs, which can also be used to
deliver tactical nuclear bombs. US tactical nuclear weapons have been
deployed by the US and several of its allies and could be used against
Iran. Israel’s thermonnuclear missiles are pointed at Tehran.

The participation of Turkey in the US-Israeli military operation is also
a factor, following last year’s agreement reached between Ankara and Tel
Aviv.

Extension of the War

Tehran has confirmed that it will retaliate if attacked, in the form of
ballistic missile strikes directed against Israel . These attacks, could
also target US military facilities in Iraq and the Persian Gulf, which
would immediately lead us into a scenario of military escalation and all
out war.

G8

On the agenda of the G8 is a draft UN Security Council resolution
pertaining to Iran’s alleged (nonexistent) nuclear weapons program,
which, according to news reports, has been tacitly approved by Russia
and China This resolution, if adopted, could open the way for punitive
bombings on Iran, with the full support of America’s European allies.

Israel is now part of the Anglo-American military coalition If these
bombing raids were to be carried out, with the active participation of
Israel, both Lebanon and Syria would become part of an extensive war zone.

The entire region would flare up

It is therefore essential that citizens’ movements around the world act
consistently to confront their respective governments and reverse and
dismantle this military agenda which threatens the future of humanity.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index....