This is some serious stuff people, as it may force Israel’s hand in its problem that they currently have with Iran; a report put together by the Defense Science Board, headed by William Schneider, Jr.,  says that the renegade nation can produce a nuclear weapon within a year and access to enough material to produce up to 50 nuclear weapons.

The report, which is titled “Preventing a Cascade of  Instability: U.S. Engagement to Check Iranian Nuclear Progress”, was put together by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and was signed by a team of policymakers, former officials and Iran scholars, including Rep. Evan Bayh (D-IN).  Other people signing the report are former ambassador David Ross and Robert Einhorn; both Ross and Einhorn are expected to assist the Obama administration in the development of their foreign policy.  By the way, a “cascade” is defined as a set of 164 high-speed centrifuges used to enrich uranium to the levels necessary to produce a nuclear weapon.

Schneider said that currently, Iran  has nearly perfected the industrial aspects of enriching uranium and can produce a nuclear weapon well before 2014.  The material that was mentioned earlier is known as “yellowcake” – raw uranium ore that is converted to gas and then fed into the cascades of centrifuges.  The 9-page report also warned that Israel may feel compelled to use a military option to try to destroy or severely limit the Iranian nuclear program should Russia decide to sell Iran the S-300 surface-to-air missile system.

The report further adds regarding Israel’s intentions,

“Israeli leaders seem convinced that at least for now, they have a military option. However, Israelis see the option fading over the next one to two years, not only because of Iran’s nuclear progress and dispersion of its program but also because of improved Iranian air defenses, especially the expected delivery of the S-300. … Israel therefore may feel compelled to act before the option disappears.”

Schneider is of the belief that the Israeli military believes that  it can hold the Iranian nuclear apparatus “at risk”, but will no longer  hold that view should Iran decide to purchase more sophisticated  air defense technology from Moscow.  I am under the assumption that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reads the daily intelligence reports and that she will persuade the Iranians – in partnership with the Russians, Chinese and Arab allies – to persuade them not to obtain a nuclear weapon.

This is something that needs to be rectified as soon as possible if for anything else, it is old news that Iran hates Western nations, especially Israel; they certainly want to wipe Israel off the face of the map and the nuclear program that they currently have is for that purpose – as opposed to the “generating electricity for our citizens” excuse.  And Israel?  They will need to make a decision as to what they plan to do about Iran.  A year is not a very long time for Iran to do what they have in mind; therefore, the Israelis will need to nip it in the bud.  And quickly.