Israel Matzav

Obama's got Israel's back again - selling advanced F-16's to Iraq

The Obama administration is showing once again how it has Israel's back, with a knife. The administration is selling 36 multi-role combat F-16's to Iraq. The planes are comparable to Israel's F-16I's (pictured).

Israel is increasingly concerned with the military build-up in Iraq amid intelligence reports that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is solidifying its presence in the country, according to a senior IDF officer.

Of particular concern is the Pentagon’s approval in late 2011 of the sale of 36 F- 16 multi-role combat aircraft to Iraq. The planes will be built by Lockheed Martin in the US and are Block 52 F-16s, meaning that they are of the same configuration as Israel’s F-16Is, called Sufa (Storm).

“We are carefully watching the developments in Iraq,” the IDF officer said.

“The possible developments there are not immediate, but since the US withdrawal from Iraq we do not know what will evolve there.”

Israel’s concern was demonstrated in the Halamish multi-year procurement plan, which the IDF General Staff approved in late 2011 but has yet to implement due to continued disagreements between the Defense Ministry and the Treasury over the size of the defense budget for the coming five years.

...

Israel’s concern is compounded by intelligence reports that the “Al-Quds Force” – the IRGC branch responsible for overseas operations – has been solidifying its presence in the country and is meddling in internal political affairs.

Aren't you all glad that the Obama administration is behind us?

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, F-16-I, Iraq

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:59 PM