Is this soldier making policy decisions? Or, does he speak for his boss?.... In any case, it's either that the policy is bad, or the general is speaking out of line. My vote is - the former. Maybe, both.
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U.S. Gen. Dempsey: ‘I don’t wish to be complicit in Israeli strike
August 31, 2012
(JTA) -- Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of U.S. armed forces, said he does not wish to be “complicit” in a unilateral Israeli strike on Iran.
Dempsey said Thursday that such an attack would "clearly delay but probably not destroy Iran's nuclear program," the London Guardian reported. He added, "I don't want to be complicit if they choose to do it."
Dempsey was speaking with journalists while attending the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in London. He is heading the U.S. delegation to the competition.
The U.S. official said he did not know Iran's nuclear intentions, as intelligence did not clearly reveal them, according to the Guardian. What is clear, Dempsey added, is that the "international coalition" applying pressure on Iran "could be undone if [Iran] was attacked prematurely." Sanctions against Iran were having an effect, and they should be given more of an opportunity to succeed, he told the newspaper.
As for the Syrian uprising against the Assad regime, he told the Guardian that Washington was cooperating with that country's neighbors, sharing intelligence and helping with military planning. The United States is supplying humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Dempsey also warned of the implications of establishing a "humanitarian zone" inside Syria, as countries such as France have suggested. Syria is not Libya, he said.
Last year that North African country overthrew its longtime dictator in part with the help of a "no-fly zone" set up by Western countries both to provide cover for rebels and to protect civilians. |
