If Iran is attacked - "Oil could soar to $400-500 per barrel...
"America, already waging two failed wars on money borrowed from Japan and China, will face paying for a third conflict that could drag on for years." - (Countdown to next Middle East war)
~~
Anatol Lieven, professor at King’s College London and a senior fellow of the New America Foundation in Washington DC, wrote in the Financial Times, 6 July 2008 (Britain must act to prevent an attack on Iran ):
"All the evidence suggests that an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites would be a disaster for the greater Middle East, for the world economy and for western security.
"It would not even benefit Israel, which is adequately protected by its own nuclear deterrent.
"On the contrary, by creating new links between Sunni and Shia extremism, it would worsen Israel’s long-term chances of survival.
"Finally, as last week’s remarks by Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, indicated, an attack is strongly opposed by the US military.
"They would bear the first brunt of Iranian reprisals, since the US would rightly be held jointly responsible by Iran, and US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are far more open to Iranian-sponsored attack than is Israel itself.
"The British government can stop this nonsense. All that it needs to do is make clear to the US administration, initially in private but in public if necessary, that the consequence of an attack would be complete British military withdrawal, not only from Iraq but from Afghanistan as well..."
~~
According to The Sunday Telegraph, 5 July 2008:
US Pentagon doubts Israeli intelligence over Iran's nuclear programme
"Gaps in the intelligence on the precise location and vulnerabilities of Iran's facilities emerged during recent talks between Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the American Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Israeli generals, according to an official familiar with the discussions who has briefed Iran experts in Washington and London.
~~
