The Israeli Air Force's little foray into Syria recently was to probe for weaknesses in the Russian-built Pantsyr-S1E air defense system. This combination missle/gun system was supplied to Syria and Iran. Advanced Russian Air Defense Missile Cannot Protect Syrian and Iranian Skies As for Iran threatening to attack Israel if Israel attacks Iran, it's called self-defense. If you punch me in the nose, of course I am going to hit back. What the Chickenhawks in Washington fail to realize is that Iran--unlike Iraq--hasn't suffered 12 years of sanctions and has a legitimate military threat and an army of 12 million men under arms, including reserves and militias. Iran's missles control the approach to the Persian Gulf, the Straits of Hormuz, and can financially cripple the world and its oil supply, if provoked. France has threatened Iran, but has since backed off to a more diplomatic stance. France backs down on words of war with Iran Only the United States continues to plan for an armed conflict, which will only take place by air since the US military is too ground down in Iraq and Afghanistan for a ground invasion. Even Bush's NeoCon Faux News understands that Bush is chomping at the bit to kill more innocent civilians: Brit Hume and FOXNews.com: Pentagon Has Given Up on Diplomacy, Crafting Plan to Bomb Iran While Washington continues strongarming the UN Security Council, China and Russia--who have many contracts within Iran and are also permanent members of the UNSC--are not going to let the Washington jeopardize those contracts. Threats of more sanctions are just that--threats. I don't doubt Bush would happily commit more murder and mayhem in the Middle East given the flimsiest of excuses and that is where I am focusing my attention right now. _______________________________________________________ "Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason? For if it doth prosper, none dare call it treason." -Sir John Harrington, 1561-1612