UPDATE: Check out Nima Shirazi's Phantom Menace and Trita Parsi's Is Netanyahu bluffing once again?
They say Americans have 20-second attention spans so it easy to mislead and spook them over and over again by keeping people in a constant confused state of fear and insecurity -- and we're certainly in one of those cycles now about a supposed Israeli attack on Iran. But some of us have longer memories and have a terrible habit of keeping old news clippings , and so we can see through this repetition of hype.
So, I was curious just how long we've been fed this ceaseless hype and speculation about the ever-imminent Israeli attack on Iran (which the US media automatically labels as being "pre-emptive," when it most certainly is not.)
Well, turns out that I have at least 18 years worth of such reports about an imminent Israeli strike on Iran saved up, averaging about 1 such report for every 2-3 months. Below are some these reports arranged by date, going back to the mid-1990 - the same BS, over and over again. And just for more context, I've also included here the repeated claims about how Iran just so close to getting nukes (marked with a bolded, red *asterisks*) just to give you an idea of how long THAT claim has also been fed to us.
(This isn't meant to be a comprehensive list but goes to show that what everyone assumes is true - conventional wisdom - is often simply the result of repetition of hype.)
2011
The Globe and Mail, November 4, 2011
Israel signals attack on Iran is possible
Agence France Presse, November 3, 2011
In Israel, speculation over strike on Iran grows
Haaretz, September 28, 2011
France: Iran risks attack if it continues to develop nuclear program
USA Today, September 26, 2011
Report: Obama sells bunker-buster bombs to Israel
The Associated Press, May 30, 2011
Israel minister: Strike on Iran could be necessary
Ottawa Citizen, May 9, 2011
Israel 'stupid' to bomb Iran, ex-Mossad chief says
Agence France Presse, May 5, 2011
Iran won't use nuclear bomb against Israel: Barak
Agence France Presse, January 25, 2011
**Iran not working on bomb: Israel intelligence head (link) [ emphasis mine - compare with report below, in Nov 2007 when Israel accused Elbaradei of being "pro-Iranian" for saying the same thing, and when they condemns the US NIE of Dec 2007 of being motivated by antisemism for reaching the same conclusion, and everything else they've said since and before then -cs]
The Australian, January 13, 2011
Israel PM warns of N-strike on Iran,
The Associated Press, January 3, 2011
Aftenposten: Israel gears up for Iran attack
2010
Agence France Presse, December 29, 2010
**Iran 3 years from making the bomb: Israel minister
The Washington Times, December 6, 2010
Will Israel or the U.S. strike Iran first?,
The Australian, November 30, 2010
Israel sets deadline for attack on nuclear Iran
The Guardian, November 30, 2010
Motorcycle bombers mount co-ordinated attacks on nuclear scientists in Tehran
Agence France Presse, November 29, 2010
Israel could strike Iran without US help: leaked cable
Agence France Presse, August 20, 2010
**US tells Israel Iran is one year from atomic bomb
The Christian Science Monitor, August 12, 2010
Is Israel really likely to attack Iran next summer?
Agence France Presse, June 12, 2010
Saudis tests clearing skies for Israel to bomb Iran: report
Wall St Journal April 21, 2010
Israel Weighs Merits of Solo Attack on Iran
2009
The Associated Press, December 15, 2009
**Israel: Iran nearing atomic bomb capability
Washington Times, October 22, 2009
World Watch: What happens if Israel strikes Iran from the air?,
Christian Science Monitor, October 13, 2009
Could an Israeli air strike stop Iran's nuclear program?; Israel does have the capability to attack Iran's nuclear facilities,
Wall St Journal, September 22, 2009
Israel: Military Hints Strike Option is On the Table for Iran
The Montreal Gazette, September 17, 2009
Iran's nuclear facilities under fire; Israel will attack by end of year if no sanctions, ex-defence official says,
The New Zealand Herald, July 6, 2009
US 'won't stand in the way' of Israel attack on Iran - Biden
The Wall Street Journal, June 11, 2009
What If Israel Strikes Iran?, By John R. Bolton
The Australian, June 9, 2009
Israel may strike Iran, says Clinton
Agence France Presse, June 3, 2009
Israel 'does not intend to bomb Iran': Lieberman
The Jerusalem Post, May 21, 2009
CIA head: Israel knows attack on Iran would mean 'big trouble'
The Times (London), April 18, 2009
Israel raises the stakes over Iran as it stands ready to bomb nuclear sites
The Baltimore Sun, April 16, 2009
Gates Warns Israel Against Iran Attack
The Jerusalem Post, April 2, 2009
Petraeus warns Israel may launch preemptive strike on Iran,
Agence France Presse, March 25, 2009
**Iran able to build nuclear bomb in year: Israel
CBS News February 11, 2009
**Iran May Be Closer To Nukes Than Thought
Agence France Presse, January 11, 2009
US rejected Israel's plea for strike against Iran: report
2008
Dow Jones International News, December 5, 2008
Israel Drawing Plans For Unilateral Strike On Iran - Report,
Agence France Presse, November 25, 2008
US has never advised Israel against Iran strike: Olmert
Agence France Presse, November 23, 2008
Israel military urges contingency plan for Iran strike: report,
The Jerusalem Post, November 7, 2008
Might Israel strike at Iran before Obama takes over? Yes, says historian Benny Morris
Agence France Presse, October 6, 2008
Iran does not believe Israel, US will attack: FM
The Daily Telegraph, October 6, 2008
Israel 'has plans to attack Iran',
Agence France Presse, September 26, 2008
Israel wanted to bomb Iran this year, US said no
The Jerusalem Post, September 15, 2008
Israel slated to buy 1,000 'bunker-buster' bombs from US. Missiles would be fundamental component of an air strike on Iran's Natanz nuke facility
Agence France Presse, September 11, 2008
US refuses to give Israel bombs fearing Iran strike
The Jerusalem Post, August 31, 2008
Mideast Arabs 'reject' idea of Iran strike. Some see peaceful nuclear program as Iran's right
Agence France Presse, July 30, 2008
Obama says Israel could strike Iran if sanctions fail: report
The Daily Telegraph, July 11, 2008
Israel 'ready to strike' Iran over missile tests,
The Independent, June 21, 2008
Israel's dry run 'attack on Iran' with 100 jet fighters
The Jerusalem Post, June 13, 2008
Anti Israel-lobby lobbyists bring their show to Israel. 'Israel and its US backers are pushing us to attack Iran' [ed: this is a reference to Mearsheimer & Walt]
The Guardian, June 9, 2008
Israel tries to play down minister's warning of attack on Iran
Agence France Presse, June 7, 2008
Iran protests to UN over Israel attack warning
The Associated Press, June 6, 2008
Israeli minister: Israel prepared to attack Iran
**Dow Jones International News, May 1, 2008
Israel Min: Iran Could Have Nuclear Bomb Tech This Yr
2007
Jerusalem Post, December 13, 2007
**That NIE Makes War against Iran More Likely by Daniel Pipes (This when when 2007 National Intelligence Estimate came out, saying that there was no nuclear weapons program in Iran. Bush promptly ran to Israel where he distanced himself from the conclusions of his own intelligence agencies, but the Israelis still absolutely threw fits. The warmongers have been trying to rewrite/undermine the NIE ever since, even though the 2011 NIE reportedly confirmed the conclusions of the 2007 NIE, again much to the annoyance of the War mongers.)
Agence France Presse, December 11, 2007
Israel PM warns Iran can develop nuclear bomb by 2010
Dow Jones International News, December 7, 2007
Israel Might Still Consider Military Strike On Iran -Official
Dow Jones International News, December 6, 2007
**Israel Iran Expert Warns Tehran Could Make Bomb By 2009
Jerusalem Post, Nov 21, 2007
**Israel: IAEA's report 'unacceptable' - [this is where the Israeli accused IAEA head Elbaradei of being "pro-Iranian" due to an IAEA report that essentially cleared Iran]
The Age, October 2, 2007
Australian 'support' for Iran strike; Israel, UK 'interested' in US plan
Dow Jones International News, September 24, 2007
Ahmadinejad: Iran Won't Attack Israel, Any Other Country
Agence France Presse, July 10, 2007
**Iran three years away from nuclear bomb: Israel media
Agence France Presse, March 14, 2007
Israel not 'enthusiastic' about strike on Iran: Olmert
The Jerusalem Post, March 1, 2007
Lieberman: Israel can face Teheran on its own
The Daily Telegraph, February 24, 2007
Israel seeks all clear for Iran air strike
Agence France Presse, January 7, 2007
Israel planning tactical nuclear strike on Iran: report
The Jerusalem Post, January 3, 2007
Strategic balance report: An effective attack on Iran is one that should have been launched yesterday.
2006
Agence France Presse, November 11, 2006
Iran vows to hit back if Israel attacks,
Dow Jones International News, November 10, 2006
Israel Might Have To Attack Iran As Last Resort -Official
The Jerusalem Post, October 23, 2006
US Jews want Israel to attack Iran nukes - poll
The Washington Times, July 18, 2006
Israel capable of air strike on Iran; U.S.-made warplanes would allow destruction of enrichment sites
Agence France Presse -- English, May 23, 2006
Bush vows to defend Israel against any Iran attack
Chicago Sun Times, May 22, 2006
**Iran 'months,' not years, from having nukes, Israel says: Prime minister won't rule out strike if diplomacy fails
Chicago Sun Times, January 22, 2006
Israel hints it could strike Iran nuke site, by Josef Federman
2005
Agence France Presse, December 30, 2005
Strike on Iran 'difficult but not impossible': Israel
The Straits Times, December 17, 2005
Israel may attack Iran's nuclear sites next March; An Israeli army report says
Dow Jones International News, Dec 11, 2005
Israel Official: Attack Not Ruled Out On Iran Nuclear Work
Agence France Presse, December 5, 2005
Iran warns Israel after Netanyahu attack threat
The Associated Press, December 5, 2005
Israel's Netanyahu supports pre-emptive strike on Iran
Agence France Presse, October 29, 2005
Iran says no intention to strike Israel
The Independent (London), September 21, 2005
**Iran to have nuclear bomb in six months says Israel
The Seattle Times, March 14, 2005 Monday,
Israel plans possible Iran attack, paper says,
Agence France Presse, February 23, 2005
Ex-Israel air chief's appointment fuels speculation over Iran strike, by Jacques Pinto
Agence France Presse, February 16, 2005
**Iran six months away from knowledge to build nuclear bomb: Israel
The Jerusalem Post, February 1, 2005
Envoy Bolton: US 'very concerned' that Israel might attack Iran
The Jerusalem Post, January 21, 2005
Cheney warns Israel might attack Iran.
2004
Los Angeles Times, October 22, 2004
The World; Israel May Have Iran in Its Sights
The Times (London), September 22, 2004
American sale of new bombs to Israel sends a message to Iran
The Daily Telegraph, August 19, 2004
Iran warns Israel on pre-emptive strikes
Christian Science Monitor, August 18, 2004
Would Israel strike first at Iran?,
2003
Daily News, November 23, 2003
As Iran moves toward nuclear weapons, Israel mulls a preemptive air strike
Ottawa Citizen, October 12, 2003
Israel loads nuclear arms on submarines: Strategy makes arsenal almost invulnerable to attacks, complicates inspections in Iran
Agence France Presse, October 11, 2003
Israel ready to launch preemptive strike on nuclear sites in Iran: report
….(snipped for brevity)…
1997
The Times, December 9, 1997
Israel steps up plans for air attacks on Iran
1995
Agence France Presse, January 07, 1995
Iran warns Israel of retaliation if it attacks N-facilities,
The Age, January 6, 1995
**Iran to have nuclear bomb in five years, Israel warns,
1994
The Independent, June 23, 1994
US gives Israel a powerful strike force; The F-15I fighter-bomber will enable attacks on targets deep in Iraq and Iran without refuelling,
Great stuff!! thank you.
Posted by: PB | November 05, 2011 at 11:59 PM
It's been widely published but still nice to look at: http://www.wideasleepinamerica.com/2010/12/phantom-menace-fantasies-falsehoods-and.html
Posted by: k_w | November 05, 2011 at 03:40 AM