US slashes troops for joint military exercise with Israel

Differences between the United States and Israel on Iran are becoming evident with each passing day. Both the countries have different points of view to get Iran’s controversial nuclear program halted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak appear in a hurry to attack nuclear facilities of Iran, while the Obama administration believes the issue could be resolved through diplomatic means. In fact, the US does not want to embroil in yet another war, as it is already engaged in Afghanistan and a number of other places.

A clear example of fast deteriorating relations of the US and Israel is that the US has scaled back more than two thirds of the troops going to Israel to take part in a joint military exercise. The joint exercise between armies of both the countries was scheduled to be held in mid-October. Time magazine quoted on Friday sources from both the US and Israel to confirm the development. It is being seen as a major setback to relations between both the countries. A number of discerning observers based here in New York City believe that US officials actually want to discourage Israel from taking any military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Earlier on Thursday, US General Martin Dempsey said that an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities can only delay, but not stop the nuclear program. Therefore, there is no need to take an extreme step at this stage. He even said that the US would not be able to support Israel in case the country initiates a military strike against nuclear facilities of Iran. The observers believe that the US will never indulge in a war against Iran, as it is not an easy task to defeat the oil-rich country. The Obama administration believes that the best step is to make economy of Iran crumble by imposing multiple sanctions on it rather waging a full-fledged war.

The US and Israel suspect that Israel is developing nuclear weapons. The recent quarterly report of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also shows that Iran has increased number of machines to enrich uranium. On the other hand, heads of states of around 30 countries have endorsed Iran’s nuclear program as peaceful during the recent Non-Aligned Movement summit. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also reiterated his stance that his country would never develop atomic bomb, as it is against teachings of Islam. He said the country would also not abdicate from its legitimate right of pursuing peaceful nuclear technology.

It appears as if nations across the world are sharply getting divided over the nuclear program of Iran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has succeeded so far in getting support of some major countries including Russia and China for the nuclear program.