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FoxNews is reporting on a CNN interview—if you need to take a moment to follow that—with Russian President Dmitri “Side Dish” Medvedev,* in which Medvedev downplays the risk of an Israeli strike on Iran.In a carefully worded response, Medvedev seems to send a message to both Israel and Iran. Russia has no plans to defend Iran from an Israeli attack. “This does not mean we would like to be or will be indifferent to such an occurrence. This is the worst thing that can be imagined.” In other words, Israel needs to be really sure. And Iran needs to realize no one will help her, either.
“What would happen after [an air strike]? Humanitarian disaster, a vast number of refugees, Iran's wish to take revenge—and not only upon Israel, to be honest, but upon other countries as well.” In other words, Iran needs to realize it will lose. And the world needs to realize that Iran will not go quietly.
So where is the downplay? “But my Israeli colleagues told me they were not planning to act in this way, and I trust them.” Elsewhere in the interview, Medvedev confirmed meeting with Bibi Nethanyahu to discuss the issue.
However, as you might expect, Israel had a different interpretation of the meeting—Russia will not defend Iran, and “all options are on the table.” The Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister concurs, adding that Israel’s preference to avoid an attack on Iran is not a guarantee.
The situation remains on yellow alert here at the Castle.
*Story goes that Putin and Medvedev go to an upscale Moscow charhouse. The waiter asks Putin what he will have. Putin asks for a 19 ounce Delmonico, medium rare. The waiter asks, “And for your vegetable?” Putin snaps the menu closed and said “He’ll have the same thing.”
