Israel, U.S. to embark on largest joint exercise in allies' history
U.S. Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro says security relationship with Israel is broader, deeper, more intense than ever before.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: US Israel USIsrael 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.
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U.S. troops in eastern Afghanistan, near Pakistan border, August 26, 2011. |
| Photo by: AP |
"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.
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Andrew Shapiro: Discussions that I participate in are very security-focused. The leak issue has not been my experience. It comes down to the fundamental diplomacy." |
| Photo by: Natasha Mozgovaya |
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, Shapiro 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."
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Granted, all of the sanctions, posturing and sabre-ratteling have run their course, and are growing tired and flacid. We know this war is going to happen, we have been waiting for it for nearly 2000 years. SPOILER ALERT: Read the Bible and learn how it ends! Shalom.
And finally, it's good that Obama finally realizes what are US interests in the Middle East.
With a cheering populace throwing rose pedals before the Conquering Heros.
The rogue, extremist, violent regime of Iran is a threat to the world. The largest threat of a mass nuclear holocaust is from Iran. Iran is already waging a war of proxies against Israel and NATO nations and promotes terrorism worldwide. It's time for the world to liberate Persia from Iran. Iranians are invaders of Persia and the Persian Spring is yearning to begin.
I should be surprised if Obama and Clinton did not have serious reservations about having to work with the most extreme government in Israel's history but they chose not to pursue a more confrontational course in favour of political expediency.
for a walk in the Park.
Of course, the US taxpayers pick up the tab for it all.
Please read the article one more time, it says something total opposite to u. Please learn more, then talk.
You know that Israel has never signed a mutual-defence treaty with the US or any other state. The fact is that Israel has no allies and has never had any allies. For Israel to have any allies, it would have to define its borders, so that the allies could know when Israel has been aggressed against in a way that would activate the ally's obligation to come to Israel's aid. And Israel, of course, cannot define its borders at this stage, because the demographic conditions are not yet ripe for Israel to decide how much of the West Bank it wants to annex. It will no doubt take another generation at least for those conditions to ripen enough to permit Israel to make a final decision on the matter. *Then* it will define its borders. And then Israel will be free to sign mutual-defence treaties with other states.
Not really only $3 billion, last year it was $5-7 billion.
by AIPAC and others. It medicare, SS, education needs funding, then they should get lobbyists on the phone fast and start buying.... don't complain about it.
USS Liberty anyone?
The historic joint exercise between Israel and America should worries Iran. World Has told Iran many times that it was running out of patient. After those 5000 Troops finished their war game they will destroy Iran . Watch out Iran those coalitions will invaded u with in a week then no more dictator in the world.
So Israel makes a great bandage? Brilliant, but that doesn't mean the US has to give Israel 3 billion a year, and sacrifice all its real Middle East interests in favour of Israel's. Shapiro himself wouldn't happen by any chance to be Jewish would he?
I guess the attack on the USS Liberty was another joint exercise.
He obviously hates Israel.
A friend indeed !
America has been moved by this Word and its general support of Israel is a result of this. Thank you President Obama and past and future presidents of the USA for whatever good you did for the establishment and security of the Jewish State.
the US taxpayer is broke peace is the Answer
to the US.
all democracies should stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of terrorist threats maybe iranian rulers come to their senses
Many Jews were slaughtered during the crusades as well.
That may explain the price of tea in China but what, exactly, does that have to do with the article again? Nothing like seizing every opportunity to self-victimize yourselves, eh?
I can see a pattern developing here.
"America's ties to Israel are NOT based primarily on U.S. strategic interests. At the best of times, an Israeli government that pursues the path to peace provides some intelligence, some minor advances in military technology, and a potential source of stabilizing military power that could help Arab states like Jordan. Even then, however, any actual Israeli military intervention in an Arab state could prove as destabilizing as beneficial.. Israel should show enough discretion to reflect the fact that it is a TERTIARY U.S. strategic interest in a complex and demanding world.. Israel’s government should act on the understanding that the long-term nature of the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship will depend on Israel clearly and actively seeking peace with the Palestinians—the kind of peace that is in Israel’s own strategic interests. Israelis should understand that the United States opposes expansion and retention of its settlements and its efforts to push Palestinians out of greater Jerusalem." - Anthony Cordesman (2 June 2010) csis.org/publication/israel-strategic-liability
The U.S. and Israel are on the same page on almost every issue. Israel provides life saving technology to the American solders. Israel also provides an island of sanity in a part of the world where crazies are everywhere.
Enjoy that little world you created for yourself.
Well spotted!
that benefits from this relationship is Israel.