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Containing Israel on Iran
(Wall Street Journal Europe) Editorial - Is the Obama Administration more concerned that Iran may get a nuclear weapon, or that Israel may use military force to prevent Iran from doing so? Appearing on CNN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey sent precisely the wrong message if the main U.S. strategic goal is convincing Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions. He said the U.S. is urging Israel not to attack Iran. In a single sound bite, Gen. Dempsey managed to tell the Iranians they can breathe easier because Israel's main ally is opposed to an attack on Iran, such an attack isn't likely to work in any case, and the U.S. fears Iran's retaliation. If the U.S. really wanted its diplomacy to work in lieu of force, it would say and do whatever it can to increase Iran's fear of an attack. Dempsey's comments will have the effect of making war more likely, not less.