US embargoing arms sales to Israel
I have a reader who keeps reminding me of how the Bush administration violated agreements with Israel by selling certain types of weapons to Saudi Arabia. As I noted earlier, that was done with then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's approval.If this story is true, the Obama administration is doing something far worse to Israel. Although the story is headlined Obama blocks delivery of bunker busters to Israel, that's only half the story (Hat Tip: Memeorandum).
Since taking office, Obama has refused to approve any major Israeli requests for U.S. weapons platforms or advanced systems. Officials said this included proposed Israeli procurement of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, refueling systems, advanced munitions and data on a stealth variant of the F-15E.I wonder if the Russians would be willing to sell to us.
"All signs indicate that this will continue in 2010," a congressional source familiar with the Israeli military requests said. "This is really an embargo, but nobody talks about it publicly."
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:13 AM
8 Comments:
well well, what do we have here?.
we are again in the 48' and united states made another arms embargoing like those times...
i'm sure russia will be glad to provide the systems israel needs if and only if israel pays the price (not only economic but political).
perhaps adquiring some migs instead of the f35?
Hi Carl.
Makes you wonder who's the real "adversary" of Israel?
Or who's The Great Deceiver in all this?
Will.
I agree, I think that Israel should go to a different ally, even if it's a country not so friendly, even tho the US has the best ammo, regardless:
It will be Hashem that will fight the LAST BATTLE.
There's no doubt the embargo is meant to make it impossible for Israel to strike Iran with aircraft. But as I've noted, this only makes Israel's resort to an EMP warhead mounted on a Jericho II missile a much more feasible delivery option. There is no good reason to risk human lives when all Israel has to do is paralyze Iran's infrastructure for years to come. And Obama can't stop that even if he wanted to.
I think the Russians would jump at the chance, provided that Israel shares the information on US weapons, planes, tanks, tactics, etc... with them.
Now that would be an interesting idea!
I agree with NormanF, that this embargo makes Israel's use of the EMP weapon more likely. The EMP weapon need not ride on a missile; it could be come from a satellite, or it could be carried on a drone with radio control from (for example) a ship in the Persian Gulf. When reading the recent reports of new Israeli unmanned aircraft, I said "Aha! EMP"
We have to look positively on this situation, if true, because it gives signs to Israel to start planning how to slowly escalating down the military purchase in the US and start to create an industry to accomplish the military need. That will keep Israel free to sell her products to whom she wants without the brother's big eye.
I've said it before. Obama is not a friend of Israel, and Israel needs to go it alone. Israel needs to design and manufacture all of its own weapon systems. Its not as cost effective as working with someone who has developed them and is willing to sell them, but you have to balance that against the very real threat of a political sea change stopping weapon systems acquisition.
Obama is not Israel's friend. He is not overtly hostile. Covertly? Yes, there is no doubt he is working very much against Israel's interests.
I would suggest to Israel's leadership that they should simply assume the worst possible scenario with Obama, in that he has effectively abandoned Israel and cut it off as much as he dares. Had he the political backing, I'd say he might even dig after he hit bottom, and follow Susan Powers' advice, and invade Israel in order to guarantee 'pali' rights.
Israel's leadership should assume that the only thing holding him back from this is the 'sane' wing of the democratic party in the US. This is a small and shrinking group of relatively moderate dems, who are overtly shocked and dismayed at the presidents' actions and inaction.
Assume that if Obama could ovetly act against Israel, he would. Assume he will do all in his power to tear Israel down.
Assume he is the 'palis' best friend.
Once you are done assuming this, start acting as if this were the case.
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