IDF general: Likelihood of regional war growing, page 2

Originally posted by ModernAcademia

But here's the BIGGEST PIECE OF BS!!!!!!!!!

"Iran has not abandoned its nuclear program. The opposite it true; it continues full steam ahead," he said.

How can a non-signatory with over 200-300 Nuclear Warheads complain about a signatory fully compliant with UN's IAEA that might or might not have one warhead?

Iran is fully compliant? What rock are you hiding under?
Whether Israel is a signatory or not, the fact it has nuclear weapons, has meant that it's security has been maintained and it's Arab neighbours have not launched more wars aimed at wiping it and it's people off the face of the earth. Surely that isn't a concept that is too difficult for people to understand?
Even if Iran was fully compliant over it's energy program, the issue is that it has a history of providing weapons to terrorist groups who attack Israel. It has also supplied groups in Iraq.
What happen if Iran gets nukes, and provides these terror and insurgent groups with them? All hell breaks loose.

And the other(real) regional conflict that is brewing will involve Israel, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, and possibly the US sixth fleet and various EU countries who might get involved.

The Greek military has moved to a heightened state of alert recently, all branches. Basically, they are prepared for immediate deployment and combat.
If politics fail, then there will be a major war over gas and oil reserves in the eastern Mediterranean by November.

Israel has found gas & oil.
So has Cyprus.
It's been known for well over a decade that Greece has substantial reserves(among other things). In particular there's estimated to be at least 1.5 trillion cubic meters of gas in an area south of Crete. An area that Turkey contested as not being part of Greece's sovereignty and claimed it should be part of Turkey. One of it's infamous gray zones that only it recognizes or believes in.

Turkey isn't happy. It believes it has a right to the natural resources of other countries in the region. It has been making veiled threats for a few weeks now against Cyprus.
It is planning large exercises in the region in the coming days.

It has expelled Israels ambassador as relations with Israel go from worse to catastrophic.
Israel and Greece are growing closer with a defence/security MoU being signed and the Greek defence minister going to Israel and meeting virtually every big player in the government and military hierarchy.

Important to remember also is that Cyprus has signed agreements over it's maritime boundaries with Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria. So there is no issue. Especially since the gas reserves are in it's southern waters. The areas in question don't even border with Turkey, which makes their claims that they have rights too even more ludicrous.

Greece and Israel have already said they support and back Cyprus' rights. In the case of Greece, it will go to war for Cyprus. This time there wont be anything Washington can do to prevent a Greek retaliation and counter attack against Turkey. Although the way a lot of senators and congressmen view Turkey these days, I don't think there will be many who will want to help Turkey anyway.

Israel has proposed a pipeline to Cyprus, and even a pipeline to Greece. In other words, these gas fields which are massive mind you, will be a source of energy for the European Union for decades to come. So there is a lot at stake here.

The USA, whose firm Nobel Energy is involved in exploring and exploitation with Israel and Cyprus, has said it supports Cyprus' right to exploit it's natural resources. Basically a message to Turkey to back off.
Will Turkey attack or interfere with a US firm? We will see..

Russia has even chimed in and said Cyprus has every right to exploit it's natural resources.

It should also be noted that after Cyprus' announcement of gas finds, that German chancellor Merkel and French President Sarkozy BOTH visited Cyprus within days of each other. This is significant because no German or French leaders have ever visited the island before, and after the announcement of a massive gas find, both leaders visit within days of each other. What was said behind closed doors?

Worst case scenario is that Turkey attacks, Cyprus Israel Greece respond. Then the Kurds sensing they have an opportunity, go all out inside Turkey. Syria and Iran decide they have a chance to attack Israel as it is distracted. All hell has broken loose and the chances of the USA, Russia, EU all getting involved would be extremely high. If the worst case scenario happens, it will be massive. China would then likely see the USA is again distracted, even more so then with Iraq and Afghanistan, and moves to settle the Taiwan question once and for all. USA & allies are then forced to counter there. And World War Three has begun.

There are many who think that WW3 will start in the Middle East, and involve Turkey and Greece.
The way things are going at the moment, the way the pieces are falling into place, it certainly seems that such a scenario is plausible now.

edit on 6-9-2011 by BLV12 because: (no reason given)