Currently in Syria, a multi-sided war is going on. Which side is Israel's least-worst enemy ? If it comes down to a choice between al-Qa'ida affiliates and Assad, horrible as it may be, Israel could not possibly support the Islamists ? It would surely have to go for Assad ? Sometimes politics is stinking and ghastly, but there you go.

Iran is Assad's staunchest ally, and Hezbollah's. Hypothetically, what benefits might accrue to Iran if Israel, through the back channels, acted to support Assad, say in the Golan Heights ? What benefits might accrue to Israel if Iran pulled Hezbollah back and toned down its hostility ?

On the other hand, Netanyahu could punch himself in the face, Monty Python-like, that might feel good too. But let's get real, in a horrible, real world.

Joe

Congratulations to OLO for publishing this article. It takes courage to fly in the face of the existing pro-Israel, nuke-Iran propaganda machine.

OLO is truly an international forum despite some of the parochial Flat Earthers who infest some of its comment pages.

Talking is far better than dropping nukes!

One of these days patience will run out & the only possible détente with Tehran will be displayed by carpet bombing the place with very powerfully armed cruise missiles.

Not only Tehran, but the rest of the Arab, & Muslim worlds will understand this type of discussion, & detent will reign. Even terrorist bombing will cease, provided other such countries realise there are plenty of missiles left, & some are targeted on them.

Any other form of discussion with these people is merely an attempt by them to avoid the retribution they so richly deserve.

The only diplomacy that has ever worked is gunboat diplomacy. He who negotiates from total power wins the negotiation, & what other point is there in negotiation.

Hasbeen by name and a has-been by nature. 'Nuff said.
But to get real, the opening of a dialogue between Iran and the US is one of them most positive developments in middle-eastern affairs in many a long year. Of course the Israeli right will seek to sabotage it. That's how they are wired, and it will take regime change in Jerusalem before anything resembling a rational approach to local affairs will emerge from that war-besotted land.
The question of who is pissing in the omelette in the US is another matter. Finally Obama is showing some of the promise for which he was entrusted with high office, and the Republicans are going mad with envy. Witness the current shutting down of the nation over a bill that is already law and has passed thru the legal challenges all the way up to and including the Supreme Court. I am referring to Obamacare, as they like to refer to the first universal health care system ever given legs in that sad country.
And then of course there are the rabid US-based Zionists, arguably traitors to both their country (the US) and to their religion (Judaism). Someday the world will stop listening to them, and won't that be a glorious day when it comes!
One point about who Netanyahu would prefer in Damascus: I've lost the reference, but recently he went on record saying that for Israel the mad jihadists were preferable to Assad because Assad was in league with Iran and Hezbollah. What he seems intellectually and ideologically incapable of grasping is that an Iran at peace with the West would no longer pose a threat to Israel, and could well act to restrain both Assad and Hezbollah. And if he dealt fairly with Syria on the occupied Golan, Assad would no longer be a worry. Ditto for Hezbollah and Lebanon. The man is quite mad, and Israel would do well to replace him.

I believe the west's patience with an endlessly sabre rattling Netenyahu is already exhausted?
He, I believe, more than any other Middle East leader, has effectively scuttled the peace process and the two state solution!
I'm not all that sure he has much real support in an exasperated America, or by American Jewry, who have so much of their money invested in Israeli enterprise; and as a consequence, now have the most to lose!?
By building a wall, and continuing to build settlements on the other side of the border, Netenyahu has killed the peace process!
The chance for a two state solution has passed, with the only prospect in play for Palestine and Palestinians, Israeli democracy, a single state and the ballot box!
Given, in a comparatively short space of time; Palestinian voters, will outnumber Jewish voters, to effectively control Israel and her powerful army/military arsenal!
Hence the push to encourage more Jewish immigration and the endless expansion of the new extremely militant settlements. With the immigrating sons and daughters of Jacob, stealing land from the resident sons and daughters of Jacob!
Even so, that land grab supported by military might alone, can only ever go so far! And could eventually and progressively be almost entirely reversed?
They could however, chose a truth and reconciliation outcome to end the unrest for all time, or just go on with the endless recriminations, revenge and eye for an eye reprisals, which along with a massively revised Koran, is arguably the core root of most of the TROUBLES in the Middle East today?
I would hate to think this can only ever end in a nuclear Holocaust; but fear, that without real change and a genuine desire on all sides for enduring peace, there is little other, FINAL SOLUTION prospects?
Rhrosty.

The real truth is that the state of Israel was conceived and financed by the Rothschilds, the most powerful family on the planet. With 200 + nukes, they can threaten any country and get their own way.

The ordinary people of Israel are nothing more than debt serfs like us. The Zionists want to control the planet using the USA/Europe as their tool.It is all about controlling the money supply, energy,media and resources.

Have you heard of the New World Order?