After revealing in his memoirs that Israel bombed a “Syrian nuclear reactor”, former US President George W. Bush says he ordered the Pentagon to plan an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities and considered a covert attack on Syria.
After revealing in his memoirs that Israel bombed a “Syrian nuclear reactor”, former US President George W. Bush says he ordered the Pentagon to plan an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and considered a covert attack on Syria. British newspaper Guardian reported Tuesday that in his new book "Decision Points", Bush wrote of Iran: "I directed the Pentagon to study what would be necessary for a strike. This would be to stop the bomb clock, at least temporarily." The former American president noted that "military action would always be on the table, but it would be my last resort," he said. According to the Guardian, Bush elaborates on the administration's discussions of the matter. Some of his advisers argued that destroying "the regime's prized project" – as he defines its nuclear facility – would help the Iranian “opposition”, while others worried it would stir up Iranian nationalism against the United States. "Decision Point" will be published in the US on Tuesday, but copies have already been distributed to different media outlets across the world. The former president revealed that the national security team discussed an air strike or a covert raid on Syria. "We studied the idea seriously, but the CIA and the military concluded it would be too risky to slip a team into and out of Syria." Bush also reveals in the book that his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush, referred to him as "the first Jewish president" following his landmark speech in 2002 in which he voiced his support for a Palestinian state. “Shortly after the speech, Mother called,” he wrote. “‘How’s the first Jewish president doing?’ she asked. I had a funny feeling she disagreed with my policy. That meant Dad probably did as well.” Throughout his eight years in office, the former president pledged unwavering support for Israel and had warm relationships with Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert. His support for a Palestinian state may have surprised his mother.Bush Admits Considered Attack on Iran, Syria
