Epstein Secrets

umvent these joint judgments of reality. One tactic is to convince us the costs of war won't be so great. Just the other day your defense minister, Ehud Barak, tried to minimize the aftershocks: "There will not be 100,000 dead or 10,000 dead or 1,000 dead. The state of Israel will not be destroyed." He sh

rom Israeli Defense EFTA00687006 Minister Ehud Barak that the Iranians would soon enter a "zone of im

ngs from Israeli Defense EFTA00687006 Minister Ehud Barak that the Iranians would soon enter a "zone

They went behind my back, goddammit. CJCS: Yes, sir. POTUS: Why the hell should I lift a finger to help them? CJCS: Because if the Iranians close the Strait of Hormuz, we will see oil above $200 a barrel. POTUS [after a pause]: Just a moment. [Whispers] How am I doing in Florida? David Axelrod [also whispering]

cing severe sanctions, so it's not a "freebie." Are there still tensions between the United States and Israel on this? Just before these meetings, Ehud Barak, the Israeli defense minister, gave an interview in which he said it is imperative for Iran to stop producing 20 percent enrichment and close the F

and Israel on this? Just before these meetings, Ehud Barak, the Israeli defense minister, gave an int

f upbeat mood that's been created over the last couple of days? Back in January and February, we had sharp warnings back and forth, such as closing the Strait of Hormuz. The tone has certainly changed, in part because the Iranians understand that the harsh tone was not serving them well. Second of all, two factors

ration has scolded Israel, the charges have been repeated by Turkish officials. November 2011: In advance of meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Mr. Panetta publicly previewed his message. He would warn Mr. Barak against a military strike on Iran's nuclear program: "There are going to be ec

advance of meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Mr. Panetta publicly previewed his message

en the European Union announced its own sanctions of the Iranian central bank in late January, Iran redoubled its threat to block shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. Panetta called this another "red line" that would provoke a military response from the U.S. February brought more posturing from Iran, along with