Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran

When Iran announced 3,000 centrifuges, I announced that Bush, who does not bluff, would bomb Iran. Mick demurred. Now Iran boasts of 6,000 centrifuges and there's a photo of a long range missile launch site. Crickets chirp.

Once, not so long ago, this kind of boast would elicit clear American declarations that Iran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Everything, President Bush would say ominously, is on the table. This time he has been quiet. I wish I believed that it is the quiet before a storm of laser-guided action. It seems more likely that it is the abashed silence of an American president whose bluff has been called in front of the entire world.

Were Obama favourite for the Presidency, Israel's options would be: do nothing, wait till later and attack Iran in the face of an anti-Israel US Executive or attack Iran before November. Bush has the first and last choice without the existential consequences of getting it wrong. As long as McCain does well, Bush can leave Iran to the next President.

According to me Obama will be squished in the General, so Israel may prefer to wait till McCain is President.