Epstein Secrets

ic's favored zones: ambivalence and inertia. As one awaits this tortuous Godot, one might recall a forecast of a bomb by 1999 (Shimon Peres) or 2004 (Ehud Barak), or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's talk of "a messianic apocalyptic cult controlling atomic bombs," or my friend Jeffrey Goldberg's allusion in

st of a bomb by 1999 (Shimon Peres) or 2004 (Ehud Barak), or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's talk of

e is "a better than 50 percent chance that Israel will launch a strike by next July." That would be next month. It might also be worth recalling that Meir Dagan, the former head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, declared last month that attacking Iran would be "a stupid idea." He suggested his main worry was not

Israel is concerned over a possible Iranian nuclear weapon, but when asked in 2011 whether Iran would drop a nuke on Israel, former Defense Minister Ehud Barak responded "Not on us and not on any other neighbor." In December 2010 former Mossad head Meir Dagan said that Tehran's Islamic government is "ratio

ld drop a nuke on Israel, former Defense Minister Ehud Barak responded "Not on us and not on any other

d drop a nuke on Israel, former Defense Minister Ehud Barak responded "Not on us and not on any other neighbor." In December 2010 former Mossad head Meir Dagan said that Tehran's Islamic government is "rational" and "considering all the implications of their action." Israeli Defense Force's Lt.-Gen. Benny

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

monstrates both their deep commitment to Israel's security and their expertise in pronouncing on it, see the issue differently. Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan described the idea of an Israeli air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities as "the stupidest thing I have ever heard." Another former Mossad head, E

i Arabia. Israeli fears are driving the process. Ehud Barak, the Israeli defence minister, has talked

disastrous for Israel's security. Those believed to favor a military option, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, argue that the Middle East with a nuclear-armed Iran would be far more dangerous than a military attack to prevent it. But their position rests on

ion would be limited and in any case less harmful than facing a nuclear-armed Iran. Those opposed to an attack, such as former Israeli Mossad head Meir Dagan, believe the risks are too uncertain and potentially too costly to justify a strike; in their view, covert actions will be more effective in slowin

the sheer scope of resistance at home--by members of the public; the military's senior echelon; and now, apparently, Netanyahu's defense minister, Ehud Barak--seems for the time being, at least, too vast to overcome. Barak's shift marks the most significant change over the past few weeks. For much of th

d now, apparently, Netanyahu's defense minister, Ehud Barak--seems for the time being, at least, too v

red security chiefs have come out against military action and gained wide public EFTA_R1_00482798 EFTA01990230 attention (former Mossad director Meir Dagan called it "the stupidest idea I've ever heard"). Any decision to go to war requires the approval of the security cabinet, where current military a

witnessed a dissidence of a variety almost unknown since the founding of the state. Even as Netanyahu and his Defense Minister, Ehud EFTA00713352 Barak, routinely speak of an imminent "existential threat" from Teheran, comparable to that of the Nazis in 1939, a growing number of leading intelligenc

tate. Even as Netanyahu and his Defense Minister, Ehud EFTA00713352 Barak, routinely speak of an immi

rope' Failed? Nicholas Sambanis Article 4. Today's Zaman Europe's 4 percent solution Kemal Dervi§ and Javier Solana Article 5. The New Yorker Meir Dagan - A notorious spymaster becomes a dissident David Remnick Article 6. Yale Center for the Study of Globalization Pakistan's Taliban Nightmare Zah

, in 1995, and then with centrist Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in 2008. Twice, Abbas endorsed principles

r. Some contenders have not yet been heard from, chief among them Moshe Kahlon, the popular former Likud Minister of Communications. Then there are Meir Dagan, the former Mossad head, and Yuval Diskin, the former head of Israel's internal security agency. All are privately close to Olmert and had been wai