Does Obama HAVE TO support an Israeli strike on Iran between now and November?

Be like Nutella

Political analysts have repeatedly said in the last few weeks that Israel's decision on whether to strike Iran's nuclear sites is directly affected by this US political campaign year i.e. the feeling apparently is that Obama would be forced to support any strike between now and the election in November and therefore makes such a strike much more likely. What do you think?

I find it hard to believe that Obama would publicly support such a strike were it to happen seeing that the US position now is one of deterrence and possibly containment but this is what analysts and journalists are saying. Obama meets with Netanyahu this week. It's utterly depressing to think that election politics/vote gathering will influence matters of such magnitude but it may be the reality. I've heard polls showing about 50% of Americans would go with the military option even in these war weary times. Any opinions?

I watch GPS with Fareed Zakaria on CNN most Sundays ...whatever you think of the guy... this week he had a respected top Israeli journalist who basically said it's a matter of time before Israel executes these strikes... his top level military sources are of this view apparently which gives his view serious credibility.... even though those opposed to this tactic say such strikes would only push back Iran's alleged efforts towards the bomb by 18 months to 3 years.

The confusing thing is... I've read a few of the major think tank reports on the subject which basically break down the military option in detail right down to the number of very necessary bunker busting bombs Israel has at its disposal etc etc and all of them say the same thing... that Israel is completely under equipped to deliver a worthwhile military strike which could push Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program back more than a couple of years thus making such a venture with its inherent risks and guaranteed counter attacks a poor option verging on recklessness.... that's basically the opinion of 3 major think tank white papers written by ex CIA, military and ex diplomats. There is nobody saying that Israel can completely stop Iran in its tracks IF Iran is actually currently and actively after the bomb... and Israel may in fact force Iran to flick the switch on a major push for the bomb by striking. What IS clear is that Obama and his top military brass has been and are currently trying to calm Israel down and convince them to chillout and see what effects the sanctions will/will not have while the IAEA continue to try and gain more access to the sites.

This is the interview.

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/

Personally I was of the opinion, until today, that Israeli military figures had weighed up the strike option in conjunction with the US joint chiefs (and under pressure by them) and had come to the conclusion that a strike is simply not worth doing given the risks and the limited information and that the Israeli political rhetoric in the mean time was just that...political rhetoric and sabre rattling.
Now I am not so sure given that Zakaria/GPS wouldn't have given this guy air time without a major reason.

Is the Israeli lobby so strong as to pose re-election campaign hurdles of such magnitude as to force Obama to support a potential Israeli surprise strike on a few Iranian nuclear sites even though such a strike could plunge the region into chaos and sky rocket oil prices already hitting 3 year highs as of today? ... is basically the question : )

Victor

"It's the economy, stupid"

War will put people out of jobs through higher oil prices. I can't see Obama doing that between now and the election.