The best of us in the free world have one glorious thing in common, our maddening degree of hope. Israel's air response to N Korea's & Syria's most anti-social plans were logical, honorable, and hopeful. In this case, Israel's response was not only neccesary, but extraordinary. My God, well done!

Paul Irons, Chicago,

Jesus preached love, peace, forgiveness and charity. Not hate, war, revenge and greed. Such is opposite and anti Christ. Those same teachings have led to hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths in Iraq, many of whom have been children. Those teachings are what led to Christ being tortured to death, right after he warned us of the impending self-destruction of mankind due to his greed and love of money.

Remember, in 300 AC the Romans revised the scriptures of the Bible, all in order to serve their political agenda, which was to recapture the power over the people they had lost due to Christ's original teachings of love, peace, forgiveness and charity. And then they burned people alive who refused to submit to their "Christian" policies, and pillaged those people's land and possessions, and in doing so they went on to become the richest and most powerful organization that has ever existed on this planet. And people say they're "God Blessed", just like the Americans.... nuf said.

Steven Johnson, Calgary, Canada

If Israel had been an aggressor state, she'd never have stopped with a single air strike. Sane people the world over know that Israel is surrounded by her traditional enemies and must therefore be ever vigilant. If the world knew how many times that the US persuaded Israel not to take more aggressive action against her enemies, they'd be a LOT more grateful.

E. W. Sumner, Cleveland , Tennessee, USA

Syria is committed to the destruction with Israel - right in step with the radicals in Iran. Israel possesses nuclear arms (it is widely believed, but not confirmed) as a DETERENT. Syria and Iran want nuclear weapons to USE THEM.

Iran has the right for PEACEFUL development of nuclear technology - heck, the US should bid on the contracts. But their radical leadership cannot be trusted and in my opinion Israel should target their facilities next. With China and Russia in the way, diplomacy has completely failed.

Randal, Seattle, WA

It appears we have a double standard when it comes to Isreal. If Syrian planes had violated Isreali airspace and bombed a nuclear weapons facility, can you imagine the outrage this would have created in the US?
Israel is a known nuclear power and not a party to any non-proliferation treaties. It has used pre-emptive strikes against its neighbors as a matter of course, and still has not relinquished land acquired through aggression in 1967. One wonders why the US has been so supportive of this type of behavior for so long.

Todd, Philadelphia,

Has anyone studied a map lately? How DARE Big Bad Israel have the fortitude, strength, manpower and God-given good sense to once again take care of business and not just sit there surrounded by enemies who want to push her into the ocean? The tiny State of Israel is a work of art - a work of art in progress - and may she continue to show us how to do the right and swift thing instead of debate, debate, debate. Be proud Israel - so many of us around the world who would never consider ourselves Zionists, are proud of you.! Brava!

Colorado Brit, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Jews are the earliest settled people in the area we now call Palestine; the aboriginal people. They have had a presence in the region for 5000 years and have had their lands stolen from them many times, only to fight back to regain them. Many Arab Muslims live as citizens in the modern State of Israel today, about one fifth of the population. Whereas those Jews who lived for centuries in neighboring Arab States were either killed or sent packing in 1948.

Israel is today a vibrant free, democratic State and has once again proved that it will defend itself against threats from its autocratic neighbors.

trewalt, Kingston, Canada

I'll bet Mr. Jones from Vancouver, is to young to remember the unprovoked attack of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese or the death marches they forced the American and British prisoners during WWII. Now he's crying that the US was irresponsible in using this bomb?

You can't be stupid enough to think Iran, Syria and No. Korea are trustworthy. Or the Saudis for that matter.

I'm willing to bet that anyone comes after you, threatens to kill you and your family, you're going to defend yourself. Or maybe you're just dumb enough to hide under your bed and hope for the best.

R Grant, Scarborough, ME

God bless Israel for having the fortitude to do what needs to be done!

Duane, Fort Worth, U>S>A/Texas

That's because the USA is a civilised nation.

Joan Pinter, Bergen,

Israel, we are with you.

Good job! Congratulations!

Ricardo, patagonia, argentina

Iran and Syria want these weapons of mass destruction so bad why? because once they get them like they said before they want to wipe out Israel off the map! sure they can do that but do you think Israel will seat there and do nothing....no way they will defend they nation at all cost and by destroying these secret sites they are preventing greater damage !!

Blaise Ngarukiye , WASHINGTON, DC

The connection of North Korea with Syria is especially sinster while North Korea is supposedly involved in closing down its nuclear program. This deception and alliance is evidence that Arab countries want nulcear weapons to be used on Isreal. It looks as if a largr war is imminent.

Michael - www.michaelhansen.us

Michael Hansen, Portland, Texas

Andy from Waynesboro, VA: Kool--dude you said it right!! The world is playing with fire. Iran and Syria will continue to try to wipe Israel off the map till Isaiah 17 is fulfilled. Then the people will see that God is watching over His Nation. But the ones that are crying foul will still be calling for Peace not KNOWING of: Peace, Peace, Then Sudden Destruction. And sad to say when those that were killed at Va. Tech were hiding under desks(much like the world) when the insane killer( like Iran, Syria) walked into the classrooms and shot them as "fish in a barrel". Those sad people that died "trying to protect their lives by hiding" could have stopped that guy, IF they had not been fearful of dying (like the Israeli's). Yes some may have died trying to stop that guy but many would have been saved (as we have been saved by this heroic action by Israel).
Israel- Go for all of it! God and we are with you! I'll be praying day and night for you'll! Blessings to IDF/IAF!

Frank Cox Jr., Starr, USA/ SC

Revelation 18:19 says: "And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, "Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!"
(The "Great City" is the land of Tyre, or Syria. Damascus to be exact. So it's not inconceivable that nuclear weapons will be used soon.)

Selena Hancock, Pittsburg, Illinois

How can the USA and their allies have nuclear weapons & other nations cant?? Only the USA has used this bomb in WW2!!

San-G, Drammen, Norway

What are you on? Would you be complaining if Britain bombed Nazi Germany? No. Do you even know how hard it was for the Americans in the pacific war, the japanesse would fight to the last man on the islands.

Syria cannot have Nuclear weapons and if Israel destoryed anything from that narcasiscal AQ Khan, then the world is a better place.

The thing is has Britain, France, Russia and China used Nuclear weapons? No, will they? No. Will a middle east that hasnt had peace in 20 centuries use it, Yes. Has Israel used them? No, when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday said that he wants to destory Israel, do you really think a partner country of his should really have Nuclear weapon.

Paul Langley, Wolverhampton, England

To: Jones, Vancouver, BC

Apparently you do not know your atomic history. Do you know why Truman went ahead with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki over the protestations of Leo Szilard and Neils Bohr? Do you know who spared Kyoto from Nagasaki's fate? Do you know how many Americans were saved from Japanese brutality due to the dropping of Little Boy and Fat Man? Do you know what Guadacanal and Iwo Jima taught the US about the fanaticism of the Japanese and the consequences of invading the Japanese homeland? Do you know why Truman refraimed from using the bomb in Korea? Do you know that the Japanese were pursuing fission research and would have been sure to have used it if they had conquered it? Do you know how close the Germans came except for intervention by the Norweigian underground?

Do you know that US incendiary attacks had killed 100s of 1000s in single raids far before the atomic bombs were dropped?

We don't want this to happen again. Iran can't have a nuke.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

"Could the bombed sites contain the missing IRAN nukes?"

Jim A, New Bern, NC

Yes they do - including Saddam's WMDs- the ones capable of hitting London in 45 min

Shathani Batoloki, Gaborone, Botswana

free world ,for who? only whites and jews apply!!

cuniverse, sidney, canada

If Israel and US can have nukes... so can Iran, so can Syria, and so can North Korea. Lets not forget, USA is the only irresponsible country to have actually used the weapon.
As much as you guys would like to deny it...but Israel DOES have Nuclear weapons!

Jones, Vancouver, BC

We can debate and quibble all day with our postings about what was bombed but the fact remains that Israel felt strongly enough about the situation that it decided to take military action. Whatever it was, it was deemed a serious enough threat to warrant the risk.

It is extremely interesting to see the incredibly muted response in the international arena. Let's not kid ourselves and think that we, and the media, are privy to the highly classified information that heads of state and their military forces have access to. The Syrians were obviously caught with their pants down and their North Korean friends foolishly tipped their hand to their involvement with their lonely expression of outrage over this mission.

Syria and their Persian masters in Iran are at war with America and the West, even if we are too politically hobbled to summon the courage to admit it to our citizens.

Publius Hamilton, Tulsa, OK, USA

Everyone who doesnt understand how blowing up nuclear material works should stop commenting about the risk of nuclear fallout.

When you use a conventional weapon to destroy a nuclear weapons cache, there is no dispersion of radioactive materials in the atmosphere. The particulate created from such an attack would be far too heavy to be carried by the wind and the explosion would not be nearly powerful enough to launch material any significant distance. Radioactive fallout occurs when a nuclear reaction is acheived, which is impossible to do without a very complex ignition system. Thus Israel did not risk nuclear fallout in the region if they were indeed destroying a nuclear weapons cache.

Nick, Los Angeles, California, USA

I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you. GEN 12:3

Enough said!!

John, San Antonio, USA

Nuclear warheads in the arsenal of any Arab nation could be the beginning of a worldwide nuclear very brief disasterous unimaginable nightmare.No matter what the cost,Israel has the moral right and obligation to prevent this from taking place

Ben Eliazer, Dimona, Israel

Once again, Israel took care of what needed to be done. It is a strong, brilliant country, fighting on the side of good.

Lori, Long Beach, USA/CA

regardless, the Syrians are embarrassed enough to restrain their rhetoric - perhaps something did get bombed, or Israel exploited holes in their air defenses - either way it's in the Syrians interest not to publicize the details. so we're left with neither side talking - which opens the door to unamed officials (see...Cheney's assorted underlings, et al) to work behind the scenes to fan the flames of hysteria. everybody run! it's an existential threat!!

DC, UK, UK

I can hardly wait to hear what the democratic president-aspirationalists will say about the Israel attack on a nuclear weapon site in Syria. Next Israel will attack the locations of all the WMD that Saddam trucked in before the U.S. went into IRAQ, hopefully before the 2008 elections in the U.S.

We do live in interesting times.

ROBERT, OXNARD, USA/CA

Mindful that (1) the Commandos were on the ground illuminating the target, and (2) that the reports stipulate the buildings' roof had a nice hole punched through it, I wonder (3) how many hills there are near the site that would have accommodated the Israeli troops with their laser, and (4) if that was indeed their reason for being anywhere near an enemy site that would soon be buzzing with actvity...it makes one wonder why the attempted destruction (which could not have been confirmed (unless a soldier was there to see for him or herself)) was tried in lieu of a snatch and grab? The only certainty is that Israel knew that this was a huge priority in their minds-eye. Considering the speculative nature of the event I can only surmise that the focus of this exercise has been acomplished in part, if not in full. Israel has diverted the (un)United Nations attention to this small corner of the world.

Coburn, Westfield, Indiana

hey seth, you obviously don't know your history very well, or perhaps you should go further back in your studies and you will find that it is indeed their land and its been taken from THEM several times. To "pre-emptively" strike any trite comments from your small brain, I am neither Jewish or American and I have no "connection" (whatever that means) to the sovereign nation of Israel.

Greg, Fond du Lac, WI

I find the anti-liberal, pro-Israel rant ironic...Israel being a 'liberal' country! i

John, Vancouver, Canada

As a matter of fact, the jews in Palestine wanted to share that land in 48 - Partition -, but not only the arab palestines, but the arab countries around there decided to throw the jews into the sea instead.

Fortunately they failed. Moreover they stopped in there times, since then, in old medieval governments, taking a lot of misery to their peoples.

Shalom Habibi!

Jaques, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

It won't be Iran, Syria or North Korea that start an all out war in the middle east-it will be the BULLYS of the world........U.S.A

Robert Hudson, Lancaster, England

Great job Israel. You did to Iraq in '86 and now Syria :)

On a side note, belief in Peace is proof of a delusional mind.

David, Seattle , Washington

Just out of interest, i wonder how many of you folk that have posted here are either : 1. Jewish, 2. Have some kind of link with Isreal?!!!!! Really, your short term memories are a dead give away! THE LAND KNOWN AS ISREAL WAS TAKEN BY FORCE AND DECLARED AN ILEGAL STATE! It therefore can NOT be considered as a 'Soveriegn Nation' entitled to defend itself!

Ooooops - that's torn it... i guess i will have the JDL knocking on my door now claiming a pre-emptive strike!

seth taylor, Durham,

" When palestinians overwhelmingly choose to cultivate their land..." Not much of their land left to cultivate, is there? That said, characteristically courageous work by Israel and her military in this instance.

David Masu, Zürich,

Israel, we are with you.

Good job! Congratulations! I feel a little safer now because of you!!!

Alex, NYC,

Hopefully the rest of the free world will follow Israel's lead and destry the forces of evil

Murray of Montreal , Montreal,

Radiation Dispersal? No, sir. You mean Radioactive material dispersal. An attack on a facility with nuclear material, or nuclear weapons are not likely to cause any appreciable radioactive material disperal, other than the immdediate area. No nuclear reaction occurrs. You would find radionuclides in the immediate area, but no fission occurred, thus no nuclear "explosion" most are accustomed to believing would occur, and no increased radiation readings outside of the bunker area. You just scatter it in the bunker, rendering it useless until collected and purified once again. The massive energy of the fissionable material is never released.

Snow, Sunnyvale, USA/CA

Now if our military and Mr Bush could follow Israles example 0n syria. Every body would line wp single file! Israles example
should be followed. Forget the UN.

Bless you Israle.

vincent campellone, garden grove, california, USA,

Iran, Syria and, N.Korea, keep it up.

Mark, Green Bay,

It sounds like sour grapes as the writer stated that "Israel imposed draconian military censorship and no news of the operation emerged until Syria complained that Israeli aircraft had violated its airspace." Hooray for Isreal for using sound military tactics. The U.S. should be doing the same in Iraq, instead of fighting a war based on media crticism and world opinion.

Mike, Tulsa, OK

Thank You IDF/IAF. I hope to one day visit Israel. What a country! It has given so much to the world. Please, know that you are not alone.
Psalm 115:1

Pedro Renteria, Anaheim, , USA

Interesting. Has anyone geigered the attack site?
A North Korean nuke is a popular spectre but the one they tested was a dud, remember. The attraction of a nuclear deterrent for North Korea was well nigh irrestible given the attrition of their conventional military capability since the end of soviet supplied arms. They gave it up in some part because they couldn't make it work.
Pakistani or former soviet equipment at least has the virtue of probably working.
Speculation of this kind is on a par with the story that Saddam Hussein had shipped his WMDs out on a couple of freighters - a story printed by most newspapers in the world, and obviously bogus because of the naval blockade "Operation Enduring Freedom" that was interdicting attempted oil exports.
Lets have a few more facts before we form conclusions about this action.

stuart munro, seoul , korea

It's nice to read some good news for a change about a western democracy who is unafraid to defend itself and competent in the execution of that defense. Contrast Israel with America, whose invasion of Iraq is a case study of incompetence and with Europe, who prostrate themselves before the third world and are afraid of their own shadow. Soon politics in America will change and Americans will elect a president who through high taxes and protectionism, will dismantle the most successful economy in the world and American foreign policy will revert to European-style appeasement which works no better with Islamic Fascists than it did with German fascists 70 years ago.

Jim Silberman, New York, NY USA

go Israel!!!!!!!! the tiny country of god has had a mighty raid against the syrien people who wanted to destroy the apple of gods eye. Ha ! Let the Syrien people who tried to harm Israel keep trying!

dkfu, James Town, U.S

The latest in a long line of flagrant violations of international law by Israel. This is why Israel will probably never enjoy peace, because it keeps antagonizing its neighbors and attacking innocent civilians with impunity. Israel's chief backer, the US, is sinking in a military quagmire in Iraq and and bleeding economically at home. The writing is on the wall, and the era of such naked neo-colonialism will soon come to pass. Israel should know by its own experience, as well as by its sugar daddy the US, that starting wars will never bring peace.

Not a Zionist, New York,

"There is no doubt, however, that North Korea is accused of nuclear cooperation with Syria..."

This is surely one of the strangest sentences ever to appear in The Times Online. It points up just how short on facts and long on speculation the piece is, speculation which incidentally is fomented quite deliberately by certain parties who hope to justify future actions by appealing to the widespread ignorance that equates unsupported allegations with undisputed facts. Did people learn nothing from the cynical way in which accusations of WMDs were used to manipulate public opinion to support an already decided-on invasion of Iraq?

George W., Vancouver, Canada

First off I want to say that if this story is true..Then great numbers of kudos to Israeli intelligence and military. (Way to go guys!)

Next we can assume that the "nuclear materials" was not a war head since North Korea has never really developed a successful nuclear reaction and secondly it would NEVER fit on a Scud missle.

Syria is simply a proxy for Iran. I have little doubt that if Syria recieved nuclear material from N. Korea then that material was destined for Iran. Iran would love to have some enriched Uranium and detonate a bomb and show the world they are a member of the Nuclear Club. I am sure they believe that would scare the US and Isreal enough to back off the sanctions and sabre rattling.
This could also be a form of strong handed Diplomacy on Israels part. They showed Iran that they can overcome the stronger anti-air defences of Syria at will, so Iran anti-air poses no problem for their air force. So Israel may be just asking Iran to have a second thought.

Lance, Atlanta, Ga

Having been deeply envolved in Israeli defense aircraft suppot requirements during the crisis in the 73 war and having the honor to train some of their pilots in our latest airborne tactics in the desert in 80-84, I salute the Israeli's refusal to be intimidated by despots. i only wish the American populace could rise up to their high standards. I am deeply concerned that someday, someplace, sometime, we would have wished we as a country had their courage to do what they know is right and is right. Ken, Portland,TX

Kenneth W Langford, Portland, USA/ Texas

Hold onto your hats. This is probably going to get VERY ugly.

Stephen, Canada,

Bravo Mossad and IDF. That's what I call true intelligence with an iron fist. Hopefully, this incident will raise flag and heighten security around the world.

Henry Mourad, Los Altos, CA

It's great to hear all of the Pro Israeli congratulations. They are the best. No doubt about it.

Jim, Dallas, USA/TX

Jackson writes "..then we come to Israel - the unrivalled millitary power in the region and backed/bankrolled by the US, and now since late 70's/early 80's acknowledged to be a major nuclear power - but hush! we're not supposed to talk about that. So remind me again why doesn't that awful Iran need nukes?"


Jackson, has Israel ever threatened anyone with their nukes? Which country did the leader of Iran say should be removed from the map? Which country has a leader that engages in holocaust denial?
Do you still need yet more clues, Jackson?

Stuart W., Honolulu/Hawaii,

Cracking article!!!!! and many nails hit on the head.
To my friends from Isreal outstanding result !!!! .
Watch your six ! We have around us supposed friends that have shall I say, complicated interests?.
Best Regards
D

Denis Tighe, Glenrothes, UK

It seems there are a large number of people who relish the pre-emptive attack but for those in the USA remember so was Pearl Harbour. Such actions are aggresive acts of war which were condemned at the War Crimes tribunal in 1947. So it seems that if you are the US or Israely government you can go about the globe killing whoever does not agree with you. I am revising my notions of where the axis of evil realy is - In the land of Dr Strangelove I think

Citizen Payne, Thetford, England

To Ruth -- So how is life in Kuwait treating you, much better now I'm sure since you have your country back --courtesy of those horrible Amercians you speak of... Good job IDF -- I just got another roll of quarters for the next video game---Iran

US Marine, New Jersey, United States of America

Peace, Make Love not War..oops, well Israel was pretty small anyway...
Peace, Make Love Not War...oops, well Poland, it's only Poland you know, not London...
Peace, Make Love not War...oops, well Somalia, after all, it's only Africa you know, they don't even have skateboards, they don't even care about Brittany Spears, so, you know...
Peace...Make Love not War...oops well you know it was only 3000 people, whats that out of 300 million and they shouln't be living in New York anyway, see, it's the victim's fault! Right Jane Fonda? I mean, you know...
Peace, Make Love not War...oops, freedom of religion, that's old stuff, you know, it's not whats happenin', you know...
Peace, Make Love not War...oops, democracy, hey man I got mine, that's what counts, hey...don't do that...get outta my house..leave my mom alone hey! Don't do that! What do you mean I'm too late?


.

Andy, Waynesboro, VA (United States of America)

BRAVO!

Bravo for Israel!

Ed Gass, Castle Rock, USA

This story can't be true, their are no WMDs in the Middle East.

Paul, Atlanta , USA/GA

Syria hasn't complained about the strike. I wonder why :-)

k Piper, Watford,

Syria helped the USA out in 1991 fighting Saddam. Syria has taken 750,000 iraqi refugees the the USA created with the 2003 invasion.

It seems that in the case of israel, the USA is biased. they allowed israel to pound Lebanon even though Fouad Sinora is a USA ally, and now they are allowing israel to bomb Syria even though Syria is assisting the USA in the iraqi refugee crisis.

Steve Savage, Tulsa, OK, USA

Some people will believe anything they are told.

Any country that had to fight a war of Independence, revolution or use terrorism for independence, will always be at war.

Bernardino, West Palm Beach,

looks like 1914 over again. only the players have changed and the game is more deadly.

fred, ajax, canada

"World War Three has started then..."

(Zened, London)

No Zened ! WW 3 started 9/11... You forget it ??

Michel Jutharat, Marseilles, France

I know they dont have the money, dont u know whats going on? N. Korea is being forced to shut down their nuclear testing sites and ian wont be allowed to continue with theirs either which was only an attempt to get US attention anyways. These countries are now going to start testing sites in Syria which is why N. Korea was sending materials over. Now N. Korea can say they're no longer developing Weapons grade uranium when the inspectors come. They'll just do it in Syria, and Syria will then benefit by taking whatever N. Korea gives them for cooperating. N. Korea was pretty close to developing nukes to just all of a sudden give up on it...Think

ryan hall, lake villa, USA, Illinois

Whatever Israel thought it was doing, Israel must have thought it was pretty important. Demonstrating that they could compromise Syrian air defenses means that the Syrians will next fortify them. Israel wouldn't play that card unless they had very good evidence and the stakes were very high. Food for thought.

Barry, San Diego, USA/CA

This is funny that this report comes out a few days after the USAF stated that they "accidentally" violated 135 levels of top knotch security protocals and potentially allowed the compromise of a nuclear warhead (and today the security guy was found dead). I think this is the setup for the US government to Nuke Americans and justify a brand new war with Iran.

Jim, Houston, TX

Great going, Israel!

Don't make the mistake the USA did, and react rather than act!

Shiny Brass, Jacksonville, USA

Congrats to The Times for scoping the American media on this critical issue. This article highlights many significant issues that will effect our children and grandchildren. This trifecta of North Korea, Syria and Iran is serious business. I hope world leaders, especially Russian and China, realize that this is the most potentially catasphophic situation since Russia aimed Cuban missle towards the US mainland. I hope the eradication of this problem does not require much arm twisting, By now, any objective analyst should clearly understand the potential the change history of western civilization.

Jay Hussey, Metairie, LA, USA

Isreals back bone may be back. GREAT.
The rest of the worlds hand wringers will be cowering in the corners crying and critizing loudly.
Those that DO will always be critized by those who DO NOTHING, except critize of course.
Teddy Roosevelt noticed that in the early 1900s and it is still the case today, 100 years of "enlightenment" later.

Phil, Phnx, USA/AZ

The world-wide insanity continues and continues until that fateful and unpleasant moment of nukes flying every which way.

S. Williams, South Point, Ohio

The warmongers won't let off on their imperialist conquest. Voices of sanity in Europe, if not quelled, should have us withdraw from NATO, dissolve NAFTA and loosen diplomatic ties with the US as well as its aggressive satelite state Israel.

Jon, Norway,

I don't get it! Who'll question the raiding countries about their deadly arsenals (nuclear and all)? What gives them the right to possess these, and not the neighbors?

Juan, Tel Aviv, Israel

This isn't "big news" in the popular American press today. A shame. Nuclear weapons will eventually be used against the West; it is simply a question of time. Enemy governments have the will and resources to hasten their deployment. We must war against those governments, but we must do so on our own terms. Kudos to the Israelis. They still understand the ugly necessity of war. I suspect that life on their narrow strip of territory has a way of instilling perspective on such life and death issues. And kudos to the Americans for lending assistance.

Daivd Anderson, Miami, Oklahoma, USA

Great Job Israel! Iran next...

Sam, Yorktown Heights, USA/NY

The sooner Gordon Brown separates Britain from the US-Israel war machine the better. Declaring war on 1.4 billion Muslims is not the smartest move. Russia and China aren't exactly on side. Welcome to WWIII.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Given this story, why does the world's largest proliferator of nuclear technology to rogue states, A.Q. Khan, still live in palatial splendor in Pakistan, called a "national hero" by General Musharraf.

Why?

Matt

Matt Dubuque, San Francisco, California

Thanks for the scoop! Where are American journalists on this story? I did suspect that more then "gas tanks" were jettisoned last week over Syria. Will anyone else report the details of this significant story? Will Syria? Will Iran? Will North Korea? Do your job journalists ferret out the truth and broadcast it to the world. Thanks, Israel. That is how it's done!

David Williams, Mount Airy, USA/Maryland

Excellent article. This has brought together several threads that have appeared in multiple places on the 'net; I also appreciate the informed summation(s) of what it all means.

Denny Gill, Chugiak, Alaska

Kent, It is sad that there are those like you still around believing Sadam had WMD's but never used them. Of course Sadam kept WMD's just so that he could move them to another country when attacked. Kent, please enter reality. Bush lied. End of discussion.

Greg Pease, Denton, TX

I'm glad that Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has nuclear capabilities. They have a proven track-record of non-use. They're less reliable, though, on non-propagation of other weapon systems to interested buyers.

That said, unlike the Arabs and Persians, everyone in Israel has a stake in avoiding confrontation because everyone in Israel has a wealth and liberty stake. The Arabs and Persians have a lot of have-not's that the small group of rulers keep in a constant state of hostility towards outsiders to keep people from focusing on gross inequalities that the leadership benefit from.

David, Dana Point, USA

Tariq: do you have any *proof* that Israel has nuclear weapons?

I don't know about "allowed", but I do feel far safer with nuclear weapons in Israeli hands than Iranian or Syrian!

Artemis: Despite being British, I actually found this article through a link from a US news site (although I'll probably get a link to it in my daily e-mail from the Times as well, later) - and this raid certainly hasn't gone unreported there, despite the shortage of hard information.

TampaJoe: Seconded - whether these were conventional weapons for Hezbollah or nuclear material from North Korea, we're better off with them destroyed. We all owe the IDF a debt of gratitude for this!

James, Perth, Scotland

well, when the countries seeking these kind of weapons make no doubt that they want to destroy Israel, and when the Jewish people lost a couple million to genocide not that long ago and terrorism attacks on their citizens happen every day, a certain degree of preemption is prudent.

josh, ashland,

It is irrelevant who actually owned the nuclear arms cache. What concerns me is that any country would indicriminately bomb an area where nuclear weapons are said to be hidden. By blowing them up the nuclear material is let loose into the air, no matter what form it takes, and becomes a pollution for those around the world via the weather systems. Israel is so close to Syria did it not even think about any possible damage these nuclear arms being blown up could to their own country and people? Are they so stupid, so intent on their own petty grievances that they would risk the health and lives of their own people just to win a childish argument? For that is all it is, a childish bullying view of life that is destructive to all even themselves. And the rest of us have to put with such childishness risking our lives just so someone can get one up on another, and think they are the greatest. How petty, and how dangerous.

Carol Noble, Bedlington, UK

Of course the USA and Israel are the bullies in the region (never mind that Syria and Iran are among the most vicious abusers of human rights in the world. Political correctness has made way for the condemnation of the nations which give their people the most freedoms. The U.N. and other organizations have become a forum for oppressive dictators. That Syria and Iran are only "pre-conceived" as enemies of freedom-even by their own people is a terrible joke. They are just that and we would do well not to make them out to be anything else.

Charlie, Sacramento, USA/CA

If someone were repeatedly saying, and acting out, his desire to kill me, I would be a fool not to kill him first. The national level is not dissimilar. There are so many threats of attack from arab and muslim quarters that one would be foolish not to expect dire results. Furthermore, there is something never discussed: It is odd that a country so militarised, with an atmosphere of being backed up into a corner, has not yet let loose it's own blitzkrieg on the world. One should not expect reason to prevail indefinitely. The last example of this situation was nazi germany. Also, If national entities do not take control of their countries terrorist sanctuaries we shall find the concept of national sovereignty disappearing as a standard to maintain. The complicity of the local citizenry with terrorist groups will soon make it feasible to indiscriminately bomb entire provinces in order to liquidate the terror threats. Those under threat are capable of the most heinous acts.

Bernard Ross, St. Anns Bay, Jamaica

No surprise from Tariq. Heaven forbid the only country which allows gay Arab men to marry, to vote and to serve openly in the armed forces - and not incidentally shelters the Jewish people and affords freedom of worship to Christians and Druze - should be armed to defend itself. And heaven forbid every petty satrap, Dark Ages religious zealot and dictator be prevented from owning nuclear weapons.

Flea, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I think it's obvious that we shouldn't believe a word of it. Nothing anyone says in the present situation is likely to be true. The US are trying to build up the case for an attack on Iran, the Israelis will go along with it (they're the 51st State of the US anyway), the Syrians aren't going to reveal what happened. If the intelligence services managed to be so wrong about WMD in Iraq when UN inspectors were there actually hunting for the things they aren't going to have much chance of getting anything right about Syria. The idea that the North Koreans could be so daft as to send a ship to Syria with nukes on board without it being spotted is dubious. There are ways to conceal these things. The whole thing looks like a dry run on Iran, build up the temperature, test the air defence systems and fool the public.

John Small, Faversham, UK

Good move, Bad move.

The good news is that Israel took out the syrian site. The bad news is that now Iran will know their air defences can be defeated. Why is that bad? Now iran will bolster their defences making then even stronger. When dealing with more than one enemy one should stike the strongest enemy first with devestating force therefore making the weaker enemy delisional and run in fear. If iran had been defeated before now syria would have been too afraid to make this move. They won the battle but now iran will be stronger to win the war. Bush made the same mistake by attacking the weaker iraq first which has convienced iran and north korea to become stronger. When dealing with the axis of evil one can take out the weaker spoke and the axsis can still roll. If one takes out the strong spoke the axsis will crumble and be unable to roll.

Travis Hamlin, Taylorsville, NC

There's been quiet chatter for years that Saddam's nuclear program results that had evaded sanctions enforcement were shipped to Syria. So long as we're speculating in an information free vacuum, Iraqi Baathist material from 2002-3 has to go on the list. But that's an uncomfortable speculation. It would provide an entirely new lens through which to look at proliferation (a much scarier one) as well as the Iraq war (was Bush right all along?) and that would be unpleasant. Our policy elites would have to actually earn their bread in such an environment and no more cheap and easy outs left to them.

TMLutas, Munster, IN, USA

Well done Israel.

It's time the western world woke up to the reality of islamic terror that Israel has had to face for decades, and we are beginning to experience now (and not just in Europe and US - they are causing havoc in Thailand, Philipines, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia....etc)

Israel knows when diplomacy no longer works, whereas here in Europe, we talk, talk, and talk some more. Nothing more than appeasement, and in the meantime, the Islamists grow stronger and use our own laws of freedom against us.

I support Israel totally and wish this government would acknowledge the threats we face and deal with them once and for all.

Izzy, UK,

Did you catch this? Did you even hear of it? There is one very important nugget that was left to the next to last paragraph, but the entire article is worth reading. --MOM

Ruk, Naples, FL

tariq, in the world of nuclear proliferation and with an enemy that wants you annihilated, pre-emption is the only rational action. All else is pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking that makes a losing bet the survival of your country.
Thank you, Israel, for doing what needs to be done, not only for you, but for the rest of the Middle East and the planet.

John, Union Lake, MI

In response to Tariq: those are legitimate concerns, but:

1) There is probably more knowledge and less speculation within Israeli and US intelligence circles than in the press.

2) Israel carried out a surgical strike, not wholesale invasion and regime change. Quite a different story from the US invasion of Iraq.

MK, Rockville, MD/USA

Israel has one of the largest Air Force and one of the strongest Army in the world still they are scared of even an unproved, hypothetical attempt by Syria to acquire nuclear weapons ! It just shows how coward the Israelis are !! and by the way, doesn anyone know about the Israeli nuclear weapons ?

Salman, London, UK

Israel is said to have nukes too, but they are not being used to hold its Arab enemies hostage the way Arabs would do to Israel. Because so far Israel can protect its homeland conventionally without the need for those nukes. In this way, Israeli nukes don't create political instability in the Middle East the way Arab nukes would. Could the same be said if the Arabs got hold of nukes? Doubtful. In a worst case scenario, the Arabs, in their frustration, would use those nukes to do what they have failed to accomplish conventionally. In the best case scenario, those nukes would be used to hold Israel hostage politically and would create tremendous instability in the region. That is unacceptable. Thus Israel cannot afford not to play it safe when it comes to the nuclear issue.

David, Boerne, TX

I find it comforting to know that Israel has capabilities, and is not afraid to use them, and at the same time, the IDF is careful to keep its cards to itself. The Syrians, Iranians, and Russians must be extremely concerned with the ease with which Israel carried out this mission.

Alan Drury, San Diego, USA / California

Apparently Syria is either embarrassed at how easily her defenses were penetrated or of what it was that the Israelis bombed - or more likely both. They know that if they complain to the world community or retaliate it will expose both their weakness and their malfeasance.

MArk in NY , New Rochelle, Newy York, USA

"We all know Israel is the only country allowed nuclear capabilities..."

Obviously that's not true, as the Pakistanis and N Koreans have been peddling nuclear materials and expertise. And soon the toothless UN will watch Iran's programme bear it's poison fruit.

Perhaps you could admit Israel's nuclear programme has been less problematic for the world? Except, of course, for the people that want to destroy Israel.

Owen Kinney, Saginaw, Michigan

My hat is off to the Israelis. Great job!! Excellent planning and coordination on their part. America please take notes, and quit chasing your tail.

Danny Seibert, Mill Valley, CA

To tariq I would say - pre-emption is a good idea, rather than waiting for the bomb to go off, and then deny, 60 years later, the nuclear hollocast happened.

I think it also shows how good Iraeli intellegence is, compared to the CIA and MI6.

I'd agree that there is a strong possibility that Iraq's nuclear material is now in Syria, or was - so maybe the CIA and MI6 are not so bad, after all - maybe there is just a lot more going on behind the scenes than we know about - on all sides.

David Williamson, Tucson, AZ USA

Of course, that this may be a cover story and that the "materials" may have been Saddam's WMDs transferred to Syria before the 2003 invasion for safekeeping would be roundly denied.

Chris Hollins, Charlotte, North Carolina

No one is claiming the Syrians had nuclear weapons, they had nuclear MATERIALS. Evidently Isreal does not want to wait to find out what the Syrias intended to do with the materials. Why should they?

Bob, Orlando, FL

God Bless Israel... and I say that as an American Soldier in a combat arm who doesn't even believe in God. They've earned everything that they have, on the field of battle. They're surrounded by those that don't even think that they have the right to exist. They're unbeatable because to lose even once would mean the end of Israel. Again, God Bless Them, and if I get called to defend them, I will do it proudly.

Adam, St. Robert, Missouri

My prayers are with the IDF and the nation of Isreal, Do you really believe that Isreal would bomb a empty bunker in Syria without good intel. They wouldn' t waste there time. Why didn't the syrians mention the bombings ? or why didn't they show the damage like when Isreal bombs the wrong building and civilians are killed . Why wasn't the damage shown across the world media?They only anounced that Isreal violated it's airspace. There were also reports that Turkey assisted Isreal with allowing them to enter Turkish airspace. You don't defeat Syrian air defences by fling straight lines between point A and point B. You have to find the gaps in there radar coverage. Isreal is fighting for survival not the political tug of war that we have here in the USA

brydge, Baltimore, USA< Maryland

Mike from Tampa--your argument is absurd. Israel wouldn't goad Iran into attacking themselves--because Israel wouldn't be willing to absorb the casualties. A small country like Israel, doesn’t play with the lives of its citizens because it cannot afford to. Israel is not afraid to take pre-emptive action and will do so anytime they feel like the safety of their country and citizens is endanger. They do not need to engage in phony antics over Syria to strike at the Iranians. Apparently you know absolutely ZERO about this region and your comments reflect ever bit of that knowledge.

Scott Pritikin, Chicago, USA

Well done, Israeli Air Force. Syria not involved in clandestine weapons traffic with N Korea and Iran? Rather more difficult to believe than the opposite.

Michael Lyster, Riverwoods, il

The president of Iran says he wants to wipe 'israel off the the face of the map'. That is an act of war and Syria is all too ready to assist. The West must realize that there are those who wish to destroy our civilization.

Mike Tr., are you really that naive to not take Iran seriously? Maybe a better explanation is a quote from former governor Jesse Ventura to Bill O'Reilly: "Well, you know, Bill, there is nothing in the Constitution that says you can't be stupid".

Jim S, Orange County, CA, USA

Well done Israel! Thank God this brave little country surrounded by others wishing for its destruction and death to all its citizens does not dither in the face of evil.

One of my biggest disappointments has been the conduct of President Bashar al-Assad whom I really thought and prayed would be a progressive modernist but instead is a slave to the old-school Government of his father and a poodle, yes, a poodle, to the Iranian regime and Hussein before that

LH, Warminster,

I find this amazing. Spies know who rides trains from China to North Korea. Supposedly secret deals that are somehow known. This is encouraging in a way. Maybe the 'intelligence gathering community' really does work.

Mary C, Decatur, USA

Where is the PROOF??!!

I can't fathom why so many people have posted support for Israel's actions here.

We have been provided no real actual physical proof for these allegations of nuclear materials, whatever materials means.

All we have is the word of some Israeli government officials who are saying "trust me".

How many times do we need to hear government officials of any country saying trust me when they in fact turn out to be lying before we all demand PROOF for every claim that is made.

I also find it ironic that the Syrians are being called "Jihadist terrorists" when Israel is the one who bombed them and Israel is using FAITH to get the backing of others to believe their claims when they are providing no PROOF for their claims.

Bob Francis, Manchester, CT USA

Glad to see Israel is taking care of business. In the US, our headlines are on OJ Simpson.

Eric, Florida, USA

too many war mongers here. more innocents will die.

David Zetland, Davis, USA/California

Excellent! Isreal has once more boldly attacked the cowardly tactics of the bad guys by destroying something real. John Wayne, Chuck Norris and Teddy Roosevely should be proud. Men of integrity are hard to come by, but Israel is providing hope for the world.

TimClarke, La Porte, Texas

Tariq: Maybe the invasion of Iraq was a mistake, maybe it wasn't, though you can not deny that Saddam Hussein was a thug and at one point he did use WMD against his own people. If Israel has "nuclear capabilities" at least they are being managed by a stable, democratic country. And, if the Israeli air force did drop ordinance on Syria as the Syrian government claims, why haven't they shown the evidence of this aggression? The only pictures that have appeared are of discarded fuel tanks.

Ira Allen, Rutland, Vermont, USA

Israel and America (the real evil doers) are not going to be happy until we have 500 dollar a barrel oil coming out of the Muddle East.

Harry, Dartmouth, Canada

I hope some day Israel and the USA would stop their crimes against the rest of the world.

Andrés Mc Cormack, SN, Argentina

U.S. troops are losing their lives in Iraq so that Israel can launch attacks on its neighbor. This is only an escalation of the problems in the region, for which retaliation will come against Israel.

Shlomo Goldstein, New York, NY

Its funny how this same newspaper refused to run the story on how Israel was caught selling predator drone technology to China, thus backstabbing USA in the back. Like to see if Israel would help america if it came to China and Russia starting trouble...Isnt it hypocriitical Israel can have nukes and not be part of any treaty? Ten u wonder why its neighbours seek nukes too.

Stop being so one sided.

concerned australian, Melbourne, Victria

It is very difficult to say exactly what is going on--except to say that Israel and presumably the US approved of the disclosure. It seems reasonable to assume that this news was supposed to be known. Knowing the players as I do, it is equally plausable that both Neocon leaders (Olmert --who announced yesterdsay that he is going to throw 10,000 settlers out of Judea, and is going to give the Arabs--and Chney) have decided that this move is in both their political interests. Both Olmert and Cheney are on parallel political paths: Both are plannning to further control of their citizens. Both want to avoid disclosure. Cheney wants martial law. Olmert has the equivalent of marshall law and has obligations to CSF and to the Vatican, which owns almost all of the temple mount, and who just announced that he is giving the squatters a "Palestinian state" and East Jerusalem as the capitol. This attack on Syria's nuclear capability will be a "disclosure" and a distraction from true intent

Moshe Posner, Fresno, CA

It's time to help Israel complete the job and destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities. The Iranian president is as crazy as Kim from North Korea and needs to be closed out....now....let's not wait for the democrats to sluff this off when our lives and the lives of our children are at stake. We need to be as tough as our WWII leaders.

Dan, Tempe, Arizona

well, if Israel has achieved such a big success why it is quiet about it? and why is Syria quiet about the aggression by Israel/USA. what are they gaining by this. there is political mileage to be made of this action if the facts are correct.
If it is real nuclear stuff then Syria should store it next to Israeli border so that both could share the fall out !
if these are the missing WMD then Bush should be jumping up and down and justifying the prosperity he has brought to Iraq so far ?

aejaz, salford,

about time! playing the hypersensitive sweepstakes dealing with wmd-deranged Islamist states is like finding yourself in a realtime realworld 'deer hunter' situation. go for the gold! & keep hitting 'em before they hit israel & us! next up, iran. oh yes.

stephen carter, georgetown, penang, malaysia

The dominos are ready to fall - N.Korea - Syria - Pakistan -Iran. Once these dictatorships are cancelled Communist China will go the way of the USSR and Putin's Russia will be very lonely.

Tianmeiguo, Moscow, Russia

And so the world inches closer to the precipice of a nuclear war...

Amy, Stigler, OK

Most Canadians stand for Israel's right to defend itself. That is especially important at a time when almost the entire world seems to be against the Jewish people. There can certainly be no tolerance for nuclear weapons or nuclear "material" aimed at Israel. Unlike Iran, Israel cannot risk being hit with even one bomb.

Jim Christian, Halifax, Canada

Re: Israelis ‘blew apart Syrian nuclear cache’
"But why would nuclear material be in Syria?

Alternatively, could it be hiding equipment for North Korea, enabling Kim Jong-Il to pretend to be giving up his nuclear programme in exchange for economic aid?"

How soon the World forgets. Saddam shipped his nuclear material to Syria too, lest we forget or don't want to recall for PC reasons. There is ample evidence that Iraq disposed of its nuclear materials by shipping them to Syria. Now, North Korea figures it has outsmarted the USA and Israel by doing the same.

To bad the Saddam material site in Syria wasn’t targeted too…

Al Barrs, Greenwood,

Way to go IDF! And ditto to the preceding comments.

Ed, Fairbanks,

I second Artemis' comment on the quality of the article.... very informative, well written and easily read and understood.

It raises my continued concern about North Korea. Their past success in hoodwinking the clinton Administration must not be forgotten. I am very much at unease about any negotiations and agreements with the rogue leader of North Korea.

All of a sudden they deal logically and in agreement with the West about their nuclear program. I am far more suspicious than I am thrilled with what that little weasel has agreed. Something is going on, and I promise you, it's not to the advantage of the West.

Does anyone see how well Bush (or whomever wrote his State of the Union Speech) did in identifying the "Axis of Evil?" Those three are not to be trusted in any negotiations, and must be stringently restricted from activities threatening the world.

HMichaelH, Vienna, Austria

Nice job. Well done.

Andy, Paoli, USA

opening of a long dance we will all get to go to.
sooner than later

Macko, Harlan, USA

My friends, even though America where not able to find WMD, they did a good thing by getting rid of Saddam. Regarding Afganistan, well its the Taliban that are hopelessly killing their own people for whatever dumb reason. Israel may a small tiny winy country, very kindly don't underestimate it, if they show their true colors even the triangle combination of NK, Syria, and Iran won't be sufficient to quiten Israel.

Sumith, Chennai, India

I am very happy that Israel is not paralyzed by political correctness. A nation must defend itself no matter what the leftist (the West is always wrong) crowd has to say. Bravo!!!

Roger Roddy, Angola, USA, IN

Why should Israel be the only country in the middle east to be allowed to have nuclear weapons? They're no better than any other middle eastern country from a human rights standpoint. Syria and Iran are certainly not occupying any foreign populations and treating them like second class citizens. You all need to stop believing everything the mainstream media feeds to you and search for the real facts.

Hans, Berlin, Germany

Way to go Israel! Way to report United Kingdom! Thanks from all of us.

Glinda, vandalia, MO USA

So Iran is having North Korea do R&D in Syria, that way when it gets messy, it not in thier yard...

uncle silver, bloomington,

Very nice to read an informative column about what¨maybe is really happening.

Hence what is maybe happening we cannot be sure of as journalist or civilians.

I read many different news pages with different adaptaions of the news to find some truth.

One thing I am sure of is that the USA is drawing Iran methodically via press items and presence near to Iran borders into war or agreement of suspension of nuclear enrichment.

Poor Gordon Brown hoping to pull back troops.

BJB, Stockholm, Sweden

Good Job .

Nill, Hull, uk

Wouldn't it seem logical now, for Syria to bomb the Israeli nuclear plant regarding which there is no doubt of its existence? Wouldn't this be reasonable, just and fair or is aggression permitted only to certain people? In which event who decides who are permitted to be aggressors? Or is it that if you can do a thing you go ahead and do it whether you're allowed to or not? Odd circumstance, that it was Nazi Germany which epitomized that attitude!!

David Ross, Stockbridge, GA, USA

In response to Tariq in Ashford, the point is that Israel would not willingly use nuclear weapons against its neighbours. The same cannot be said about the other Arab countries.

John, London,

Well Kent Saddam had chemical and biological weapons. We know this because America gave them to him. It's whether or not those weapons were destroyed that's debatable. He didn't have nuclear weapons, or we'd have seen Israel take a similar action as this. And don't get me wrong, I think Israel did the right thing.

Still it's likely that Bush dragged us into war on lies.

A Miller, Chicago, USA/Illinois

If it's true that Syria had Korean nukes, then Israel has done the world a great service and saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

Andy Gill, London,

It's a good start. I'd like to see them head to Damascus next.

OutaBounds, London,

This is why Israeli's say "Kol Ha Kavode Le TZHAL" which means give the IDF its respect .
Maybe the rest of the world will believe that the Axis of evil is not telling you the truth and maybe they will wake up and smell the danger that swells with lies and see that these threats are for real .
Stop hating America and join this battle against evil. Lets face it people if you don't take the threat against you as a reality , you should know your enemy does .
I still can't believe after so many bombings across the globe and so many failed plots to kill so many innocent people that people still let thier hate for America and of course George Bush blind them to this threat .
I am willing to bet that most of those blinded still would like a "Green Card " to live in America .

Ariya Gothelf, Gedera , Israel

When government leadership knows their own butts are on the line after a weapons launch they respond as any normal person seeing an immediate thrteat. Wish we had some here in the States.

Joe, Katy, TX

the world will be thankfull to israel one day, israelis dont risk there lives for nothing think again.

rafi, hawai, usa

Go for it Israel....the only other country that has the guts to stand up to the growing threat of Islamofacists...Those with vision can see..those that do not, are destined to goosestep like most of Europe did not to long ago. Mike from Florida and Michel from Canada..get your heads out of the sand eh !

bill, Pittsburgh , USA

If US forces can cause the formidable Iranian air defense systems to 'go dead' like the Syrians, the Iranians are going to lose a hefty chunk of their infrastructure when Bush illegally attacks that country.

Rocky, Santa Cruz, California USA

Whether or not the WMDs spirited out of Iraq to Syria in late 2002 are recognized among the destroyed munitions isn't the most important matter. The Left will simply "move the goalposts" yet again, and continue with their campaign for the beatification of Saddam Hussein. Whatever their provenance, the weapons' removal from Syrian control is the best news here. Congratulations to the IDF.

Greg, Eureka, CA, USA

Bush right? Ha, what a joke. Go back to your bunker Mr. McNeil.

Joe Average, Waco, Texas

Israel did what it had to do to survive. What's the alternative? Wait for the turtle-paced U.N.and it's nuclear agency to negotiate? That would never work with the anti-semites who roam the halls of the U.N.

Billy, California, U.S.

How sad, the Americans seem to hate America even more than the enemies do. What country can survive that?

A.J., L.A., CA

Mike, if you actually KNOW all that, then maybe someone should come talk to you. However, I think you are blithering.

Good on the IAF and IDF for popping these thugs early on, just as they did with the Osiric nuclear reactor in Iraq decades ago.

Kent, more insightful than most. And thamnosma has good points - how would that stuff get to Iran? No, it was for Syria, whether old stuff from Iraq or new stuff from the Norks. Either way, it had to be done away with, and glad the Israelis did it.

Rickvid, Seattle, USA

It was about time the Holy Warriors from Israel put some in the Middle East in their places. Make no mistake, when push comes to shove, the right people make the right choices.
If you look at the situation very closely........why haven't the nations in the Middle East started making a ruckus over the bombing? Think about it !!

John B. Ciochetty, Delaware, United States/Ohio

Thanks so much for giving us the straight poop Mike, I feel so much more secure now. By the way, do Islamic radicals present any danger at all to the West at all or is that just more propaganda? Bush really just wanted Iraq's oil, right?

James Price, Montgomery, USA/Alabama

If anyone thinks Syria's air defenses are the equal of Iran's they are dreaming.

hp, austin, tx, usa

President Bush was right???? My sides..........and the world is flat...only a die-hard republican (and an ignorant one at that)could see through this administration's failures and corruption

Mike Johnson, Redford, MI

How quickly we forget our history, we have seen the rise of the facist-muslim state with only one goal and that is to rule the world which means Israel must go as well as the US. I too wish for peace and there are many good muslim people in this world, but they have not stood up against the terrorist that want to take this world back to the dark ages, and rule by murder under the guise of religion.
The Russians having failed more than once in taking Israel down using the Arab states as it's proxies, and is once again back in the game and in bed with the Iranians, supplying them with nuclear fuel and weapons.
Freedom and peace unfortunately comes at a price, this world has been to war several times to preserve freedoms and regain the peace. This is not a matter of turning the other cheek and complying to the other sides demands. The other side is looking for total subjugation and nothing less.
Israel has once again shown the world what must be done, and we must continue the fight.

KDO , Indianapolis, IN

This is how it's supposed to be done!! Covert and to the point. No media attention, such as in the US "look, terrorists, this is where i'm coming after you. Be scared! Be very scared!" Enough of fighting with white gloves on!
Go IDF!

Alya, new york, NY

Tariq

Israel does not repeatedly threaten to incinerate its neighbors with nuclear warheads or deny their sovereignty, despite the fact that21 Arab states were contrivances of the British Foreign Office in 1922 and are essentially groups of tribes with flags ruled by a variety of despots and clerics and desert dynasties. In deed, the only "real Arab state" is Egypt by any definition of geopolitical and historical depth.

Jack, San Francisco, CA

With no obvious economic base, where does N. Korea get the money to fund research and development of missile and nuclear weapons. It would seem a reasonable possibility that China is helping with this funding. Let's not be so gullible to think China isn't using this type of strategy to gain ground in their attempt to be a world leader.

I would love to see an article detailing N. Korea funding. Thanks for giving Americans real news stories.

steve, Tucker, USA/TX

Pakistan which is now acknowledged to be responsible for N. Proliferation and is an "unstable" country politically ought to have been a target 15 years ago. it only shows that America had encouraged it and prevented the Israelis from similar action.

Ravinder Jain, Mumbai, India

All this nonsensical speculation about what damage the Israeli bombs did in Syria is familiar. Why during the Vietnam War years ago Kissinger bragged that a satellite camera could take a picture of a postage stamp on the ground. Sometime later American troops raided a North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp and found it had not been in use for sometime. In fact the place was overgrown with grass as high as an elephant's eye. Obviously, whoever sent the raiders already knew this. With this thing in Syria I am surprised someone hasn't already downloaded pictures from Google.

Carlanca, Queens, N.Y.

I think if the Syrians get there nose bloodied the Iranian may stop and think

stan, hollywood, usa florida

It's amazing how blood-thirsty people are and quick to support use of force. Speaking of countries with nuclear weapons, only one to use it is US, Israel's main ally - therefore hardly a pinnacle of morality.
These unprovoked attacks (as its based on simillar intelligence that led to Iraqi invasion), are hardly acts of a peace-loving country. Even if they had imported nuclear material, these sort of attacks will not solve anything. All they will achieve is to harden Arab stance towards Israel.
I wonder how these things will play out as US might deteriorates (economicaly as well as militarily), and Russia, China and India take driving seats and shape their foreign policies without blind support for aggressive regimes such as Israel.
Anyways, it's sad to see how many poorly informed people foam at the mouth whilst congratulating bombing raids. I would be surprised if they knew what it's like to be bombed.

Denis, London,

GO ISREAL!!!!!

Dont worry about all the "poltical theory". The reality is the same people who want to restrain you with fancy moraility ideas are the same ones who want you dead.

Just get out their and defend yourself as needed and hopefully the USA will back you up as needed.

Ryan, Houma, LA

Israel, anyone who fights against you is fighting against the apple of Gods eye. What shall little Israel do, wait passively and be attacked? They have the 600 million reasons to be pro- active against countries that want them dead and gone. And yes, we do know where it's all going and how it will end and Israel not only stands, they will be exalted.

Sealight, Davenport, Iowa / USA

Looks like more disinformation from Mossad to me. They are extremely good at it.

Menachem Begin, Jaffa ,

Yes, good to do these things before Hilary gets elected...

Jose La Peanta, Naples, FL

To Ilona who says:"The Israeli army is the best army in the world!!!". You obviously were not paying attention last summer when a few hundred guys with nothing more than guns and minscule explosives sent the Israeli tanks and fighter jets packing from Lebanon with their tails behind their legs.

jack , london, uk

Once again the IDF is a crystal clear reminder that surgical strikes are absolutely required for their national security and survivial. Pay attention WORLD............the future rests with Israel. Watch closely, whatever happens in Israel will effect te rest of the world!

Jason Bowers, Riverside, ca.

The Mullahs can not be happy that what ever it was Israel was up to, Syria was unable to do anything about it. Iran's anti-aircraft protective net is older than Syria's and this would lead one to believe Iran is not as secure as it thought it was last week. Look for lots of fresh petro dollars moving into Swiss bank accounts.

Daniel Roll, Jacksonville, USA

I don't blame Israel, but they need to do their own work, as in IRAN

nikolai, chandler, AZ

To the reader above: Syria is a signatory to the NPT treaty, thus they are legally obligated to refrain from the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Israel is not an NPT signatory, and that is why they do not have such restrictions. It is not a matter of "Israel [being] the only country allowed nuclear capabilities", but rather an issue of treaties that each country has or has not signed.

Jim, Paris,

Ladies and Gentlemen. Let's not forget that back in 1985 the USA fired at and destroyed Iranian targets in the gulf that were threatening the region with Chinese made Silkworm (Sea Eagle) missiles. We closed them down in a day. We know that Iran had and many times used WMD's (gas and possibly bio) against the Iranians in their war and against it's own citizens in various parts of the country. They've threaten Israel and Turkey with them. If you don't believe they had WMD's you're not doing your homework. The world knows. Americans are easily sold made up history by big brother, the liberal owned print and broadcast media. Please do your research and form "YOUR OWN" opinion. Not someone else's. Look, like it or not, IRAN is going to kill many many people. So is Al Queda. We are going to see many more die in America. Soon. So, hit them now and hit them hard. The Russians, French and Germans did not join us because of they were doing business with them during the embargo!

John Stevens, Warren, RI

No matter how you feel about Isreal they get the job done!

Roger Stright, Amesville, Ohio

Given the overt rise of anti-Semitism allied with racism in leftist circles, both in the U.S. and overseas (as if the UN ever held any other views), we hope and pray that America in 2008 will elect a half-way decent realist as Chief Executive.

That emphatically excludes MzBill, Obama-banana, or oozing effluents such as Edwards the Tort. Of candidates not sophomores in Clown College, we'd support Fred Thompson because his is not a pretty face.

John Blake, Shrewsbury, NJ

Perhaps if Israel would merely abide by the outstanding United Nation’s ruling and stop it's never ending expansion into the long establish nations of Lebanon, Syria and Palestine all the middle eastern violence would rapidly subside. For now Israel is striving to reclaim the biblical “promised land” and continues building illegal settlements, militarily occupying sovereign countries, while at the same time humiliating, displacing, torturing, killing and imprisoning their populations. As it is now the Arab violence against Israel will never stop. These people are legitimately defending their own countries and their people who are being pillaged by uncompromising Israeli forces. Most American’s can easily recognize a venomous snake when they see one. The problem is the Jewish lobby’s has passed around big money in Washington and has successfully enlisted the support of American politicians and media. This Israeli investment has prevented the American people from getting the r