Obama Offers Israel a "Nuclear Umbrella"

News sources around the world are publishing a statement from an anonymous Obama staff member that the Obama administration intends to offer Israel a “nuclear umbrella” protection guarantee.

This means that any nuclear attack on Israel would be responded to in kind by the US. For example, if Iran nuclear bombs Israel, the US will nuclear bomb Iran.

There are two big problems with this plan, however. While it is a nice gesture, I am not sure if it would be that much of a deterrent on Iran.

First off, if a nuclear bomb were detonated in Israel, it could easily wipe out the major population centers. Israel and Tel Aviv (and the area in between) are the most densely populated areas in the country. A bomb in the middle could wipe out virtually the entire country. Second, Iran may consider a nuclear attack on Iran an acceptable loss to wipe Israel off the map. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khameni, is an extremist. Extremists have demonstrated that they find a large loss of Muslim life acceptable if it is for the ultimate expansion of Islam. Khameni probably thinks it is worth it for millions of Iranians to die for the ultimate destruction of Israel. Terrorists have a different view on the value of human life than most of the rest of us. They will put their kids in front of them as a shield if necessary. Jews would never do that.

So, thanks Mr. Obama. I appreciate the gesture. However, the only defense from Iran is preemptive. Waiting for them to strike first would mean just that. They will strike first, and it will be devastating.