British paper The Sunday Times, an official mouthpiece for military leaks, quotes Pentagon officials who confirm that Bush gave Israel a green light for the attack.
The US won’t get involved. As usual, Israel is on her own, but at least America doesn’t twist our arms as usual.
Iran threatens massive retaliation, which it technically cannot carry out. Given the threat of an all-out escalation, Iran might not retaliate at all. Few towns in Israel are covered with missile defence. The safest places during the Iranian retaliatory strike would be Jerusalem and small settlements.
Olmert has to strike at Iran before the September 25 Kadima primaries. Barak would also prefer to have Kadima headed by weak Olmert during the next elections rather than by a popular Livni who would win the primaries.