Nuclear bomb

Where Does the Buck Stop? James Cartwright, Amos Yadlin, Atlantic. While its military capabilities enable the U.S. to be patient with Iran, for Israel the window for military action is rapidly closing.

How Rational Is Iran? Steven David, American Interest. Saddam Hussein torched Kuwait's oil fields.  Bashar al-Assad has killed 70,000 of his own people.  Why assume that Iran's autocracy will act rationally?

Going Nuclear Michael Segall, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Iran already has the technological capacity to produce one nuclear bomb—it is just waiting for the right moment to "break out."

Good Mullah, Bad Mullah Michael Segall, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. The mullahs trumpet their internal divisions, dangling the lure of compromise.  But there will be no compromise as long as Iran thinks it is winning the contest for regional hegemony.

Round Two Shai Feldman, National Interest. As prime minister for a second term, Netanyahu will claim a stronger mandate to strike Iran’s nuclear program.  But President Obama looks set to use his second term to prevent an Israeli attack.

The Fight for Azerbaijan Alex Vatanka, Foreign Affairs. Although Azerbaijan has deep historical connections with Iran, it shares Israel's desire to keep the Islamic Republic at bay.  So, both Iran and Israel are working hard to win its heart.

The Phony Cyberwar Brandon Valeriano, Ryan Maness, Foreign Affairs. Despite the hype following the success of the Stuxnet and Flame viruses in slowing Iran's nuclear program, cyberwarfare is not the strategic game-changer it’s been made out to be.

The Case For Netanyahu Melanie Phillips, Daily Mail. Israel’s Prime Minister, faced with an impending nuclear Iran, was right to go over the heads of the administration with a public rebuke meant for the ears of the American people.

Unbreakable Alliance? Giulio Meotti, Jerusalem Post. If Obama refuses to intervene to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, he won’t be the first U.S. president to leave Israel standing alone in its hour of need.

Israel is Not Bluffing David Rothkopf, Foreign Policy. After the collapse of the Congress of Vienna settlement, Europe endured two world wars before establishing a new order. Israel is gearing up for a similar scenario in the Middle East.