US National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, Tuesday to take part in final preparations for next month’s second visit to Israel by US President George W. Bush.

It is expected that during his final visit in office, Jerusalem will seek presidential approval for a number of major issues, including a presidential pardon for Jonathan Pollard and approval of the sale of advanced military hardware to Israel.

Many question the timing of Bush’s second visit, just weeks following his first touchdown in Israel following close to eight years in office without coming to Jerusalem, believing the real reason behind his mission is addressing growing concerns surrounding the Iranian threat.

Just last week reports broke confirming fears of long-range missiles capable of carrying non-conventional warheads from Iran to Europe, and it is now abundantly clear to all that Iranian President Ahmed Ahmadinejad remains determined to achieve nuclear independence, a reality that would present a threat to the stabilization of the Middle East and the entire Western World.

It also appears that Israeli intelligence assessments of progress on Tehran’s nuclear program are closer to present day realities than comparable reports emanating from Washington.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)