via Lobe Log

Former congressional aide and diplomat Joel Rubin argues in the Jewish Chronicle that the strike-Iran media bonanza is harming Israel and endangering diplomatic efforts to end Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions. “When it comes to unilateral military strikes against Iran, it is clear that Israelis are not all on board”, writes Rubin, and for good reason:

A strike right now would undermine the painstaking work that has taken place these past several years to pressure Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions. Israelis do not want to be opposite the United States on questions of war and peace.  And many national security experts believe that military action may even hasten Iranian acquisition of a nuclear weapon.

So let’s remember that as the talk of war mounts, there is another perspective: the pressure on Iran remains, talks are under way, and there is no new evidence demonstrating that Iran is about to acquire nuclear weapons.

Now is the time for productive patience, not military strikes.  After all, it’s much easier to start a war than it is to end one.