| by Barry
Lando
( October
25, 2012, Paris, Sri Lanka Guardian) Several questions asked in
the third presidential debate were never clearly answered. One of the most
vital concerns Israel: What exactly is the U.S. commitment to that country?
It's a question that an American president may suddenly be confronted with,
some chaotic night at three A.M.
The reporter moderating the debate attempted to get an answer.
The reporter moderating the debate attempted to get an answer.
BOB SCHIEFFER: “Red
lines, Israel and Iran. Would either of you —Would either of you be willing to
declare that an attack on Israel is an attack on the United States, which of
course is the same promise that we give to our close allies like Japan?
And if
you made such a declaration, would not that deter Iran? It’s certainly deterred
the Soviet Union for a long, long time when we made that — when we made that
promise to our allies.
[[Good question…a request to clarify what has been a very intimate but imprecise relationship--challenging an American president --or future president--to make a stark commitment to Israel on his own accord, without seeking the consent of the Senate or Congress. Which, who knows, one chaotic night at three in the morning, he might be called upon to do.]
PRESIDENT
OBAMA: Well, first of all, Israel is a true friend. It is our greatest ally in
the region. And if Israel is attacked, America will stand with Israel.
I’ve made
that clear throughout my presidency. And —
[Just
a minute, he didn’t really answer…but the moderator was there:]
MR.
SCHIEFFER: So you’re saying we’ve already made that declaration?
[Good
question, but dodged again:]
PRESIDENT
OBAMA: I will stand with Israel if they are attacked.
[Unasked
question: What does “stand by” mean, Mr. President? Cheer from the
sidelines? Send emergency arms, dispatch rockets to shoot down incoming
missiles, as was done in past crises by the U.S?
But Obama
went on.]
OBAMA:
And this is the reason why, working with Israel, we have created the strongest
military and intelligence cooperation between our two countries in history. In
fact, this week we’ll be carrying out the largest military exercise with Israel
in history, this very week.
[Unasked
Question: Does that mean, Mr. President, that American armed forces would
become directly involved if Israel were attacked?…if say, its perimeter
defenses were overwhelmed? If the Arabs or Iranians were marching on Tel
Aviv?
If not,
what is the point of carrying out the “largest military exercises in history”
with Israel? Exercising for what?”]
[Next
to a question about economic sanctions against Iran…]
OBAMA: …the reason we did this is because a nuclear
Iran is a threat to our national security and it’s threat to Israel’s national
security. We cannot afford to have a nuclear arms race in the most volatile
region of the world.
[Unasked
question: Nuclear arms race? Hasn’t Israel had nuclear weapons for
decades now, Mr. President? ]
[And
now to Romney on Israel:]
MR.
ROMNEY: Well, first of all, I — I want to underscore the — the same point the
president made, which is that if I’m president of the United States, when I’m
president of the United States, we will stand with Israel. And — and if Israel
is attacked, we have their back, not just diplomatically, not just culturally,
but militarily.
[Unanswered
Question: Uh, again, what does that mean, Governor? Would you commit boots on
the ground? Cruise missiles? Destroyers? Under what circumstances?]
[Then,
when the subject of Egypt’s shaky new government came up]
OBAMA:
They [the Egyptians] have to abide by their treaty with Israel. That is a red
line for us, because not only is Israel’s security at stake, but our security
is at stake if that unravels.
[Mr.
President, could you explain why America’s security is dependent on a treaty
between Egypt and Israel?]
[If these
question weren’t asked during the debate, did any one hear them raised
afterwards-- by any of the army of pundits?]
 Several questions asked in the third presidential debate were nev...){kind=link}