Saddam during Operation Opera was far different than Saddam after the UN coalition defeated them:
The problem for you here is that I didn't say Iraq was a threat to Israel at the time. I said Israel had very good reasons for wanting Saddam removed. You don't stop wanting dead the guy who wants you dead because he's broke, and a cripple. I'm mean, if Iraq isn't a threat to Israel, then why is Israel asking to take part in doing away with Saddam? Of course, nothing you stated says that it would have been impossible for Iraq to move back to a position of being a threat given a long enough time frame.
net loss. Iraq and Iran were balancing each other out. Iran took over Iraq with proxy forces and created a land bridge from Iran to Lebanon that was a huge security risk for Israel.
Net gain. Otherwise show me direct proof of Iran moving supplies, and equipment throw Iraq into Syria, and on its proxies there and in Lebanon. Some guy saying "hey you should understand what you are getting yourself into, and how you are gonna get out" is some gotcha. Its basic, common sense advice you'd give to anyone embarking on a new endeavor, same applies for starting a business, as it does invading a country. Saying "Saddam kept Iran in check" doesn't work when the closing years of the Iran-Iraq war were marked with defeats of Iraq. Nor did Saddam's presence stop Iran from funding, arming, and training proxies in Gaza, the west bank, Syria, and Lebanon. A pro-Iran Iraq would leave only two countries between Iran and Israel.
We already covered this. Unless you think AIPAC poisons everything Joint Congress does, this is not an argument. I'm not saying it's wrong to say the well is poisoned because of AIPAC, that's fair, but there is no other mechanism to say they baited us into the war. Israel did not make Saddam invade Kuwait in the First Gulf War. Him being embarrassed about debt did.
Where did I say Israel got us to fight Iraq in the first gulf war? I didn't. I said Israel had reasons to oppose Iraq and Saddam.
Of course opposition started before that, which is why they wanted in on the war.
"Things between Israel and Saddam were just great, which is why they were chomping at the bit to get in!"
Is that actually what you think I fucking thought? Or are you looking for whataboutisms irrespective of what is sad? It does not matter the outcome, you will make "Israel bad" apply.
No, I was making a point about a country willing to spend blood and treasure to topple a foe is also likely to convince others to help topple that person. The Israelis wanted Saddam gone. Very conveniently that they got exactly what they wanted. If you wanna say coincidence, go right ahead.
