Professor Even's suspicions are the most scientifically credible of all I have heard. Some of the comments that large areas of desert would have to be radioactive after the Israeli attack shows ignorance of the facts. The destroyed facility was believed to be machining bomb material for use in nuclear weapons. They were not finished armed bombs. No nuclear explosion (with fallout, etc) is possible under such circumstances.

Jeffrey

Jeff W. Eerkens, Woodland, USA

The Liberal Media news outlet controllers are so caught up in slamming the current administration and its policies that it has become deaf, dumb, blind and numb to the real threats that exist today. Thanks to the bold clarity of the Israeli military answer, another proxy terrorist location of Iran has been shut down. The problem is that there are certainly other such locations out there. Skeptics please answer this: if this wasn’t “a plant for processing plutonium, namely, a factory for assembling the bomb,” then why the lack of outrage from the likes of Syria and its sponsors (Iran, North Korea, etc...)? I believe it's because they were caught red-handed.

Mike, Carson City, NV

Bert
Thanks for sharing your hatred of Isreal/USA/Democracy.
The International media, not following the Liberal PC handbook, immediately shared the basic information and catalyst behind the destruction of the strategic nuclear bomb making site in Syria.
The "lack of evidence" is your opinion not fact.

Your hatred of Isreal is a product of the "World Media" you speak about in your comment.

David, Nashville, USA

No proof, no evidence = no truth.

If this were indeed a 'nuclear site' and tests proved it to be so, then the worlds media would have had a field day with this story, instead the story is hidden behind secrecy and assumptions.

Nothing more than war mongering by israel.

Bert Allison, Glasgow, Scotland

To: D. Jordan, the before and after photos clearly show the surgical sealing of the area. A small explosion would only have contaminated a very small area; undetectable by any neighboring country. As far as Israel's actions to defend itself from nuclear attack, what would you do if you knew someone was preparing to kill you, you family, and everyone you know?

Would you do nothing?

Gary, Knoxville, USA

For Mr Horton:

David, this attack actually happened several months ago. It was first publicised by the Economist magazine (London, UK) and does indeed, document a raid that actually happened. However, the story as given here does not expose the main element of the raid.

Which is...

The Syrians have spent megabucks buying sophisticated radar and early warning systems fro Russian and other Eastern European countries. The Israeli fighters were equipped with (you guessed it) even later US technology that completely masked them from detection. More than just a lightning raid that destroyed their nuclear capabilities, it was a huge psychological shock to their system. Thinking that thery were safe and sound from any kind of aerial attack, the Syrians were caught flat-footed and completely surprised. Now they are confronted with the reality that the West can reach out and clobber them at will.

Perhaps they might be more disposed to acting in a civilized manner in the future

Richard L. Walker, Olympia WA,

Does this article include any fact at all to support these speculative assertions? Where is there any mention of independent sourcing, or connection of the North Korean and the putative Syrian nuclear weapons programs?

To be anything more than rumor mongering and gross fabrication some data - any data - needs to be produced. Where are the radiation readings or soil samples after the bombing? Where are the satellite photos showing identifiable wreckage?

The Syrians are oddly uncommunicative about this, but they may have legitimate reasons not to ramp up in response to what appears to be an unprovoked attack. The Turks might also be expected to complain about the use of their airspace for this attack.

BTW - how about a little comparative information on Israel's known nuclear weapons program and arsenal?

jon, Boston, USA/MA

To Spinner, New York:
You simply need to see the satellite image of the site before and after the raid, the dissimulation actions by Syria (very visible) and ask you the question why?

Before commenting that there is no evidence, I suggest you take the time to check by yourself. Sometimes people like you are prompt to accuse without any knowledge of the case.

Sattelite images are widely available on internet.

By the way, I am not a Jew or Israeli.

Jacquelin Ouellette, Montreal , Canada

I believe there is something more to this story. Yes, if the desert is contaminated, then many of the surrounding nations would have detected the fallout! This raid by Israel just goes to show, the arrogance of Israel, much like the U.S. to cross over other nations borders and attack anything or invade whenever they see fit! This is one more reason why there will not be any peace in the region... Israel's actions only hurt its already tranished image! Why don't all the nations in that region declare their stockpile of nukes, including Israeal and Saudi Arabia our allies?

David Jordan, Los Angeles, California

The sole response to unending discussions of prohibiting acquistion of nuclear weapons is impatience. Nuclear weapons will no more be prohibited than are clubs, longbows, or gunpowder. Great political resources should be expended on effectively coping with the nuclear age -- neither trying to hide it under a rock nor on childish games of 'I have it and you can't have it'. Grow up and search for new ways to cope!

Maury Siskel, Fort Worth, Texas/USA

To "Sane former rethuglican": The Iranian leadership consists of religious zealots for whom a war ending human civilization (including their own) on earth is a central objective. The Iranians are not seeking a nuclear deterrent (much less "nuclear energy").

John Smith, Trenton, NJ (USA)

The Syrian factory was a real one but just a fake out for what is already being developed underground and protected from raids. It was tempting to Israel and to see how things played out. Syria knows just what would happen. Yes the area of the desert is conaminated now, but who cares. The western thought may be that, oh we stopped them in their tracks and all is well for now. How dare they...LOL

Steve, Hometown, USA

we need to take this threat very serusaly

sagiv, beer sheva, israel

If Israel had blown up a plutonium processing plant, it would have been the equivalent of setting off a giant "dirty bomb". Laboratories all over the world would have picked up traces of radioactive dust bearing the distinctive signatures of plutonium, an element which does not occur in nature.

A more likely explanation is that this story is concocted, in whole or in part, to support the propaganda campaign to justify a US-Israeli war on Syria and Iran.

Chris Horton, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Why would Syria want the atomic bomb? How would it benefit them? In an area were people are packed in cheek by jowl and the prevailing wind patterns are as they are what is the use of this weapon, except suicide?

And what country makes use of the myth of suicide as official policy as they train their troops at Massada? (Archaeologically unsustainable, by the way.)

The Israelis have what has been estimated as between 200 and 250 rather large atomic bombs and the long range technology--provided by the US--to take out all of Europe and a big chunk of the rest of the world if they like.

The fantasies in this part of the world are really extraordinary. If anyone wants to "get" Israel, best to sit back and watch the uteri of the ultra-Orthodox, etc., do their job. And as for Israel representing the interest of Jews; where is my ballot?

That the US will finance this adventure until its last dollar is silly; but please don't insult our intelligence by constant absurd paranoia.

J.H.Sibal, Kew Gardens, , NYC, USA

Idle gossip? Maybe so, but the signs are clear and the pattern is known.

I realize that most people like filter out the ominous signs that things are horribly wrong in this world. After all the majority of us are powerless pawns when it come to the changing tides of power in this world, and we all have enough to worry about in our own myopic existances.

However, the reason these problems are on the rise is due to our electoral process and the purposeful distancing from power of the people by the wealthy elites in the west. We are not to blame for these changing tides at all, but those who purport to be our leaders are responsible for the reaction of our nation to these threats.

When you go to vote (which in reality is a charade for the most part) remember that is is the business of a leader to worry about these ominous trends and tidings so that you won't have to. If we get another poser into power that won't deal with these things the hard way . . . then buy iodine.

Maxx, Copenhagen, Denmark

Sir,
Remember the relentless pro-Israeli spin against Iraq? 45 minutes WMDs - here we come.

SC, London, United Kingdom

The only reason either Iran or Syria might want nuclear capability is to protect itself from who else? ... The US or Israel!!!

Anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that neither Iran nor Syria would ever try to INITIATE on their own, an offensive nuclear attack against either country, for fear of OUTRIGHT ANNIHILATION.

That is precisely why we have so much to worry about with the Bush administration in charge. Let's just hope we can get a mature Democratic administration elected and in power before all hell breaks loose.

Sane former rethuglican, Bay Area, USA/CA

The Dair El Zor Hoax
Why are the Israelis lying about striking a "nuclear facility" in Syria?
by Justin Raimondo - October 15, 2007

http://antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=11756

Yannie Barrie, London , UK

If you really want to know how stupid these people are about nukes, consider this. If and when they nuke Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, where will the fallout from those blasts go? To the east and notheast into Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Iran. These people are so idiotic to want to nuke Israel that they are oh so willing to put their own populace in danger from nuclear fallout if they do succeed. Something people need to track is not just nuclear material but how about the potassium iodine that the populations will have to be given if the fallout heads in their direction. If a country suddenly orders a big shipment of iodine, then you might want to look a little closer at them.

Steven, Sumter, South Carolina, USA

Without any evidence this article will be judged as being based on idle gossip.

Crashing Dashing Kid, Balamory, Scotland

How do we know it is a spin? What is the authority of the NY "spinner" to affirm it?
Would be more than glad to have objective answer.
Thank you,

karol sapiro, são paulo, SP- Brazil

Brian,

You hit all the nails on the head & connected all the dots. Iran is further along than we can imagine. Despite all the knee jerk Bush hater squeals, this so called "Axis of Evil" is VERY REAL and the danger is present.

Dave, Darien,

The Israeli disinformation office invents and the media gobbles.

One unreliable source spinning theories without any evidence.

spinner, New York, USA

Ugh! If Iran was the intermediary, they probably already have a bomb factory of thier own well into production, and that may be why several Iranian leaders have threatened a rain of fire if attacked. The warhead North Korea set off may have been a joint project. Iran has the money and oil North Korea desparately needs, and North Korea has a head start on the technologies and materials needed. If this is true, war is inevitable due to some mis- or proper calculation of one or more of the parties. There has been a real rush by Iran and Syrian intermediate range missles in recent years coupled with enhanced anti-aircraft defenses. The constant boasting of uranium enrichment by Iran is a cover for the material already gathered from North Korea and possibly rogue elements trafficking in the old Soviet Union which is clearly evident in the recent interdiction of enriched Uranium. Pakistan was the first Islamic nation to get the bomb and has effectively accelerated timetables.

Brian Stewart, Los Angeles, USA