Haaretz reports: Israel and the U.S. will embark on the “largest” and “most significant” joint exercise in the allies’ history, said Andrew Shapiro, U.S. assistant secretary for political-military affairs, on Saturday.
Speaking to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Shapiro said the exercise will involve more than 5,000 U.S. and Israeli forces, and will simulate Israel’s ballistic missile defense.
“Joint exercises allow us to learn from Israel’s experience in urban warfare and counterterrorism,” said Shapiro.
“Israeli technology is proving critical to improving our Homeland Security and protecting our troops,” he added, explaining that Israeli armor plating technology and the specially designed “Israeli bandage”, being used on American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, are proven successes.
In addition, he said, Israel will soon gain access to an expedited Congressional Notification process, which will allow for faster trade of smaller, routine sales and purchases of arms between the allies. Countries already subject to expedited Congressional Notification processes are NATO members, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Shapiro emphasized the Obama Administration’s support for Israel, despite comments by a senior U.S. official on Friday, who expressed concern that Israel would not warn the U.S. before taking military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“Our security relationship with Israel is broader, deeper and more intense than ever before,” said Shapiro, adding that Israel’s military edge was a “top priority” for himself, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. President Barack Obama.
The U.S. has a $3 billion per year commitment to Israel, which Shapiro said the Obama Administration would continue to honor over the next ten years, “even in challenging budgetary times”.
Speaking of the economic impact of the U.S.-Israeli relationship, Shapira said it was important to note that U.S. security assistance to Israel helps support American jobs, since the “vast majority of security assistance” is spent on American-made goods and services. “We don’t provide assistance out of charity. We provide assistance because it benefits our security,” he said.
“We support Israel because it is in our national interests to do so,” said Shapiro, echoing the recent report by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, entitled, “Israel: A Strategic Asset for the United States”, which argues that Israel is a strategic asset to the U.S. “If Israel were weaker, its enemies would be bolder. This would make broader conflict more likely, which would be catastrophic to American interests in the region. It is the very strength of Israel’s military which deters potential aggressors and helps foster peace and stability.”
There is such a thing as over reliance on so called friends. Giving Israel the means to undercut the security of the U.S. here at home, especially since they are “friendly” is either pure delusional B.S. or verging on traitorous adventures. Dealing with Israel has always been a one sided affair, theirs! They are going to lead the U.S. down the primrose path to destruction with their present direction being taken by the leaders. If the laws on the books were followed, then each member of congress that supports Israel with monetary and materialistic and security aid, should have to register as foreign agents. The allegiance to the U.S. precludes what is taking place within the U.S. Government, in all branches, as well as departments/agencies. One cannot serve 2 masters and be faithful to both at the same time.
WINEP is an offshoot of AIPAC, and Shapiro is hardly an ojective witness. Israel is NOT an ally, is not of any benefit to the USA, but leads it into catastrophic wars which help only the arms manufacturers and the military bigwigs. Israel and the USA are the belligerent parties who want to change the world, but not to improve the lot of real people.
Under all the “Iran threat” BS is the calculation by Obama that he desperately needs Jewish votes to be re-elected. So far, all he has done for Israel is worthless in the eyes of Zionists. Lest he nuke Iran and make all Palestinians disappear, he is “NOT a friends of Israel.” Now that Zionists have gone right-wing, Obama can never satisfy them, because he’s black and won’t enforce Israeli dominance of the Middle East. Yes, “dominance,” for nothing less will satisfy their alleged Israeli SECURITY NEEDS. Like many others, he fails to distinguish the JEWISH from the ZIONIST vote. Jews may not vote for him because he exhibits neither PRINCIPLE nor DIGNITY while Zionists won’t because he has failed to make BOTH Iran and the Palestinians disappear while also providing a permanent solid American “military WALL” of US troops in Iraq. Lucky for Obama that the Republicans could only come up with a freak show as prospects. But if Petraeus becomes the Republican “dark horse,” Obama may find himself wishing he had shown both principle and dignity to counter that PR COIN-SURGE con man.
RE: “Israel and the U.S. will embark on the ‘largest’ and ‘most significant’ joint exercise in the allies’ history, said Andrew Shapiro…”
TAKE IT AWAY, CYNDI:
BOYS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN (Facebook jpeg image) – http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=152832719154#!/photo.php?fbid=2516344104571&set=o.152832719154&type=1&theater
“If Israel were weaker, its enemies would be bolder. This would make broader conflict more likely, which would be catastrophic to American interests in the region. It is the very strength of Israel’s military which deters potential aggressors and helps foster peace and stability.”
What is bolder and more insane than a threatened pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear reactors and other facilities, without consultation to the supplier of the means and the way, with the potential of launching WWIII. I, fore one, certainly would fight tooth and nail, to my death to destroy any power which would facilitate and allow such wanton aggression.
USA and Israel are run by the criminally insane. The only nuclear power in the ME is Israel, and the US is supporting it in contravention of its own laws which prohibit aid and support to nations possessing clandestine nuclear, chemical, and biological WMD.
What absolute twaddle these people speak! They are mad.