Key Israeli think tank calls for military action against Iran

'Only military action can stop Iran'

Yaakov Katz, THE JERUSALEM POST Dec. 21, 2006

In a dramatic conclusion concerning the future of the state of Israel, the latest edition of the Middle East Strategic Balance, compiled by the Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies (JCSS) and released to the public on Thursday, calls for military action to stop Iran's nuclear program.

Prepared annually by JCSS at Tel Aviv University, the Middle East Strategic Balance provides an authoritative and indispensable guide to strategic developments and military capabilities in the Middle East by offering a comprehensive, insightful assessment of the complex strategic environment of the Middle East. The report is considered something of a bible for military analysts who follow developments in the region.

The 2005-2006 edition was compiled by former IAF Intelligence officer Yiftah Shapir and Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Zvi Shatuber. Shatuber is a former ambassador to the United Kingdom and was a member of Israeli delegations to peace talks with Syria and the Palestinians. ['Peace' talks, 'ambassador', surrre, just looking for oppurtunities to kill.]

"Our conclusion is that without military action you won't be able to stop Iran," Shtauber told The Jerusalem Post Thursday.

The United Nations Security Council is set to vote Friday on a sanctions resolution against Iran, which has been revised in response to Russian objections. The latest draft, if approved, would order all countries to ban the supply of specified materials and technology that could contribute to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. The proposed sanctions would also include freezing the assets of a list of companies and individuals involved in the country's nuclear and missile programs.

Despite the impending vote and increased diplomatic action, Shtauber said he believed it was too late for sanctions. "There is no longer a possibility for effective sanctions to stop Iran," he said.

Shapir recently told the Post that Israel has the military capability to destroy at least part of Iran's nuclear installations to the point that it would be possible to delay Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons.

Earlier in the week, Mossad chief Meir Dagan said that Iran had recently increased efforts to enrich nuclear fuel. Dagan estimated that Iran would be able to begin building a nuclear bomb by 2009.