'Bush sold Arab states arms in violation of deal with Israel'

Don't kid yourself about know how. Look at September 11th. All they have to do is learn to get them in the air. They don't need to learn how to land them,right? Unlike the Israeli Air Force your enemies are willing to die for their cause. Just imagine the damage a Jihadist could do with a fighter plane. It does not even need to be armed. All he has to do is get there man. They will cause so much confusion and make you concentrate your efforts else where and that one man will get through and crash into an excellent target into Tel Aviv.

of david and goliath? isn't israel's supposed qualitiative advantage the cultural and intellectual advancement and sophistication of its citizens? do you mean to say that an arab in an f-15 is just as good as an israeli? all this is is a push to guilt the us into GIVING israel the f-22!

The right person to deal with zionists.

Bush's supposed support of Israel was always duplicitous. I am amazed that Israelis e thought him trustworthy. He's from oil wealth, recall, and oil people always have to appease oil supplying states. You were foolish to trust Cheney's advice on the Gaza invasion and more foolish to think Bush would really help you out. The enormous turn against Israel in world opinion is highly correlated with the Bush years.

Prime Minister Netanyahu should be working with President Obama on security, not trying to undermine the American leader on purely domestic U.S. issues. One would think that Israel has enough on its plate without wandering into U.S. decisions on how to finance its internal health care.

I see that the good doctor is off on tangents again. I like th way you ended your post by threatening to use nukes..that's an immediate sign that you have fallen off the reservation of reasonable thinking. The USA (and Obama in particular) needs to re-balance the arms race in the Region is false. The USA has stedfastly stood aside Israel for decades without getting what we want--Israeli peace with Arab neighbors. The US wants to end the arms race in the mid-east. Don't blame the USA for lack of security--the USA had nothing to do with the fiasco in the Gaza a year ago. That's one way that Israel loses its security not from broken promises of the USA. Blaming the US for the 1967 war is humorous. American taxpayers are tired of the double talk; and changes (US policy) will come as a result of taxpayers.

of the money and military aid committed to israel by the congress; therefore your assertion that congress represents the people of the united states on this issue, is not necessarily true. what IS true however, is that the "commitment" to maintaining israel's military edge vis-a-vis its neighbors, by presidential administrations and congress both, is a consequence of the tremendous amount of political power israel's lobbying agents have been allowed exert within the united states government... to the point cipora, that prospect of voting against the will of the israeli lobby, for those who are themselves not willing participants of its endeavors, carries with it the pall of political retribution. sorry to disagree with you cipora, but the fact IS that on any issue concerning israel, the congress does NOT necessarily represent the american people. you see cipora, in THIS country, congressional issues regarding israel don't even make the mainstream news. no one hears about these decisions...unless they seek them out. by the way, nice touch with the line about the saudi lobby...lol. you're becoming quite the propagandist, cipora. actually though, the arab lobby pales in comparison. i did read a while back, that it's come a long ways the last few years or so; but it's nowhere even close.

the commitment is from the u.s. congress. the u.s. congress is supportive of israel. this support reflects the support of the majority of the american people. the saudi oil lobby, with its huge financial resources, cannot undermine this support. americans do not like being terrorised. they know that the saudi wahabists are behind sunni terror.

shavua tov to you, too. best wishes to you v'kol h'mishpacha. shalom, cipora

the u.s. is supplying arms to the saudi wahabis who are behind islamic terror killing americans and other westerners. so stop the hypocrisy.

Arms has never brought about peace, maybe a piece of pie, but not peace,I wonder why that is. You want peace you have to pray for peace, you are not going to get it by trying to balance power, power will always corrupt, so far I believe the Isrealies have done quite well considering all the friendly nations that surround her

you gleefully talk about rendering a wasteland out of iran; you can't pick the survivors.

and there is no "agreement"; only a de facto commitment by the u.s. interesting reading. love you too, cipora. thanks

"But we are smuarter [smarter] than morons like you and your arab [Arab] cockaroahe [cockroach] friends. Go Isreal [Israel], Go. Annilate [annihilate] our enemies." Yes, Don, your smartness is definitely in evidence. I'm sure that "Isreal" couldn't possibly have a more erudite spokesman.

whats wrong in accepting aid? Why shouldn;t Israel accept? The USSR accepted US aid in WWll, so did the UK and China and other countries.

Check it out bro - here's a video of a Saudi F15 shooting down a couple of Iraqi Migs during Desert Storm! Tally ho! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnnYE3WWNkw

... pro-Israel President in U.S. history ... It's time to "Take the 'A' Train" , because it's "the quickest way to Harlem, hurry, hurry" - Duke Ellington

s: "Israel neither had an airforce or sophisticated weaponry, and were outnumbered by a huge ratio." The Haganah always had a numeric superiority over the Arab expeditionary forces, and the disparity grew wider the longer the conflict went on. It also had access to military supplied that were denied to the Arabs, to the extent that near the end of the war the various Arab forces refused to support each other because each was running out of ammo. s: "Guess who came to Israel`s help? Hashem of course. Israel won." Israel won because its army was bigger, its army was better equipped, its army was better supplied, and its army operated under a unified command with a unified national goal.

They apparently realise they also can use an Iran on the way to nuclear parity with Israel for their own benefit. Once Iran has levelled the playing field, the Arabs realise that this will make it much harder and more dangerous for Israel to do what it has done since it's existence: regular and repeated destruction of cumulation of arms in Arab hands, whether by surprise raid or open war. Arabs have been forced by Israel to be very carefull in acquiring truly modern and effective weaponry, for they know from experience the Israeli planners go to work then. It seems their self confidence is at a historic high considering this issue.

you gleefully talk about rendering a wasteland out of iran; you can't pick the survivors.

and there is no "agreement"; only a de facto commitment by the u.s. interesting reading. love you tpp, cipora. thanks

Israel has no doubts about this, they are not worried about losing a war because they have one of the worlds most proficient armies and their airforce pilots are certainly TOP GUN but what worries Israel is not losing a war but the damage that the arab armies may inflict on this tiny nation.No matter how better trained the Israelis may be, the simple possession and abundance of advanced arms by Saudi, Jordan, Egypt will inflict unreparable damage on israel in the case of war. As in 1973, the Israelis were shocked and suffered big losses and even the "hero" General Moshe Dayan feared the end of israel and apparently had a nervous breakdown.

Agreement That's the "Symington Amendment" Any nation that is involved with illicit nuclear material/weapons which isn't apart of the NPT is forbidden to be given aid.

Where have you been hiding these last 60 years? Israel has always wanted peace and has offered incredible things to the palestinians. They in turn have let their greed take over their senses and here we sit..they in a cesspool and Israel in a modern,beautiful country. There is not space enough to write down all of the offers that Israel has made to the palestinians but if you have the time and inclination start researching and you will find the truth. The plan of the arabs is to pull Israel down...turn the world against them and then pounce on the country and destroy all of the Jews and take the land. Whether you like it or not that is the truth but it will never happen because a higher power is watching over Israel.Your naive assessment that Israel should not have superior military power only proves that you seek the demise of Israel. What are the odds for Israel when you have 6 million against 150-200 million without military superiority. Does the word carnage come to mind?

Islrael is indestructible so no matter how you hate that nation, aint nothing to it..the Jew shall thrive over his enemies!!!

ultra Modern Weapons for Free all the time!

Same old rubbish: Israel wanting to be the bully of the Middle East. It looks to me that the only way it may be peace in the Middle East is for Israel not to have any longer any military superiority. Otherwise, Israeli governments will never learn to make peace.

In terms of promises being worthless, you should also consider Israel's promises about stopping expansion of settlements, freezing growth in disputed territory, etc.

not selling sophisticated weaponry to Turkey China and Russia. All these sales have and will nip Israel in the butt. Either by pissing off the Americans or when these countries share intelligence with Israel's enemies and even duplicate Israeli technology to sell to Israel's enemies. So let Israel look at itself first before it singles out i9t's friends.

wrong Israel was alwasy on USA side pain . We give them for years the best weapon. The arab had Russia weapon no comperason! read the fact

we been screw by Israel with their spying so many time I dont consider a friend spying on a friend:) Balance is good Israel need to understand the right of all nation! they are not the only one fight for survival!

the way i see it? they are the one treatening every one else when they can get their way like a spoil brat!

I tought he was all bad but I am glad to hear he did that! more should sold to the arab country!

The hate Israel agenda of the Arab nations is to replace the infighting and squabbles among themselves.If and when they (Arab nations) learn to live peacefully within themselves they will benefit greatly with Israel's friendship. Label

The Americans will sell even stealth fighters to the Iranians, Cubans, North Koreans, Russians, Syrians, etc... if those countries pay the asked prices. Business is business.

The Bush boy made it a policy to do as much as possible under the table and without any written evidence of his dealings. It could very well be he made an agreement with some Israelis on the basis that as a Unitary President he was personally the manifestation of all US government functions and entitled to rule as if a king. Making agreements without the need of consultation or consent. See: Unitary Executive Theory,

The first administration to back an insurrection in Afghanistan was the Ford administration. It was a limited effort intended to create problems for the Soviets at a time when US foreign policy was in disarray and weakness due to the Vietnam War fiasco. This was continued under Carter, but was off the radar of the world except for those who took great trouble to be aware. The policy was too successful in that the Soviets eventually moved in to bolster their client government. Efforts to determine when and who made the decision, by Russian historians, have discovered that the evidence has been purged. Under Reagan the program was changed from feeding an uprising in Afghanistan to the creation of a largely Saudi organization which was to strike deep in the Muslim Republics of the Soviet Union to cause sabotage and foster uprisings. This was the time when the USA became, with Saudi, the major sponsor of what became Al Quaeda and the current jihadist lunacy. A lack of prudence.

The Bush Administration was friendly in many ways. But it also failed Israel in most significant ways. The major one was its failure to prevent the development of the Iranian nuclear program. This supplying of advanced weaponry to potential enemies of Israel is another.

A rhetorical question Mark of Lewiston?

Any state does what it thinks best for it. With the USA it is exactly the very same if not more so. Israel has been sold by the USA in accordance of their needs. Wake up! With such friends you do not need enemies!

7 Million Jews. I guess that you call a fair fight. Quite funny is how scared you are of Israel. You are such a loser Natallie.

The bottom line is money. Who owns stock in the company. It also sells to the state who receives the jobs. The Emirates and Egypt are "moderate" by rubber ruler standards in the Arab world. But Saudi? I have always hated our special friendship because there is nothing moderate about Wahabism. But oil is such a valueble commodity we look the other way. It is a sick relationship. As far as nuclear armed Israel goes, they shouldn't play a part in this discussion. They don't show any true interest in our interest or else they would have moved forward many years ago with some peace objective and closure with some of their more radical aspects of racism. They are more than capable of handling anything on the military front whether we sell or not. The bottom line is Saudi funding of Wahabism education has played a huge factor in terrorism. They are not moderates. Help us if that countries elite family ever has a dangerous change in direction.

Why don't you tell the world somethings you won't whine about? That will be much quicker than this bleating, carping and nagging water torture.

Here's reality, like it or not: If the Obama administration does not promptly rectify the arms imbalance to Israel's satisfaction, especially in the matter of US treaty violations, it will find Israel no longer interested in talking "risks for peace" that come with leaving Arab territory. As simple as that. UNSC 242 calls for withdrawal to "secure and recognized borders". They can't be secure if US security obligations are unreliable. Israeli factions opposing territorial concession argued decades ago that Israel could not depend on US promises and guarantees to protect itself, and if they are proven correct, the so-called "peace process" is at an end, and the land under Israel's control with stay that way. No incentive to do otherwise. US stupidly sparked the 1967 war by refusing to honor its promise to keep Tiran Straits open in exchange for a 1956 Israeli Sinai withdrawal. If it is seen double-crossing Israel again, Israel has no option but using nuclear retaliation for its defense.

Israel made peace with Egypt and got out of the Sinai, because Israel came so close to defeat in 1973 and was only saved by massive US aid. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Israel has got used to being the unchallenged military regional superpower and thinking that it can do whatever it likes with the Palestinians for however long it likes. Like a lot of Brits I was please to see Israel suffer basically a defeat in the Lebanon 2 war. I don't like Hezbollah, but I suspect Israel will only ever make proper peace with its neighbours and with the Pals, when it genuinely loses its sense of military invincibility - and I don't mean all the minor BS threats that Israel endlessly declares existential. There are plenty of posters on here who would declare it an existential threat to Israel if Nasrallah sneezed.

BILL THEY WONT HAVE A NUKE BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO DESTROY THEIR CAPACITY TO MAKE THEM TOTALLY. IRAN WILL LOOK LIKE THE SURFACE OF THE MOON.BLEAK AND FLAT. I JUST WANT THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET OUT OF IRAN FOR THERI OWN SAKES

BILL WE DONT NEED AMERICAN ARMS WE CAN MAKE OUR OWN

But how do you plan to deal with an Iranian nuke delivered by Hamas/Hezballah? They could set it off in the west bank or Gaza and take ISrael out. And because they're Persians, they don't give a rat's butt about any Arabs who would die.

The USA could be seen as our friendliest long-standing ally, but reality is that a nation as large as the USA also needs to reactivate its economy of war to continue increasing its power and influence all over the world. Mr. Bush and friends may have been thinking that a large scale Middle East war in parity of conditions might be welcome as such could prove the effectiveness of the American weaponry, while at the same time provoking a thirst for more weapons. The only one who could truly call himself a winner out of a devastated ME would be the USA, as its position as a leader in the area would continue unmoved, yet we would all feel far more dependent from it for rearming all ourselves and to request it to intervene to 'preserve the balance'. When money is at stake, "loyalty" could become a word long gone with the wind...

The USA could be seen as our friendliest long-standing ally, but reality is that a nation as large as the USA also needs to reactivate its economy of war to continue increasing its power and influence all over the world. Mr. Bush and friends may have been thinking that a large scale Middle East war in parity of conditions might be welcome as such could prove the effectiveness of the American weaponry, while at the same time provoking a thirst for more weapons. The only one who could truly call himself a winner out of a devastated ME would be the USA, as its position as a leader in the area would continue unmoved, yet we would all feel far more dependent from it for rearming all ourselves and to request it to intervene to 'preserve the balance'. When money is at stake, "loyalty" could become a word long gone with the wind...

HOWZIT FEEL?

ISRAEL ARMS WILL NEVER DECLINE, WE HAVE THE BEST TECHNOLOGIE ALONG WITH THE US IN THE WORLD. ISRAELI BRAINS ISOMETHING TO BE VERY PROUD OF.

I LOVE YOU CIPORA YOU POST SO MUCH COMMON SENSE AND YOU ARE SO FAIR. DANNY. I WOULD ALWAYS STAND BY YOU, WHAT EVER THE CASE. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY. AMEN AMEN.

SHUEBEDOO GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY. AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN.

WE CAN BE MORE INDEPENDANT BY MAKEING OUR OWN.

They are selling them the arms for the money, even though its a drop in the bucket compared to the massive US debt. They don't care about the Iranians.

SHALOM SIDNEY. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY SHALOM DANNY.

EDIFICE GOD BLESS YOU. AMEN AMEN.

MEHMET 400 ARAB FIGHTERS PLANES IN BATTLE AGAINST ISRAELS FIGHTERS, 100 0F OURS WOULD WIPE THE HOLE 400 OUT IM VERY SURE OF THAT.

Although the policy was in place from earily in Israel's life, the USA Arms relationship took off with Nixon and Kissinger. We helped to provide the qualitative advantage over Arab armies to reduce the Risk of defeat to nearly zero; but Israel didn't do its job: Make peace with its neighbors. With the delay in the peace process, there little incentive for USA to maintain this qualitative advantge for Israel at USA's own reduce security. It's a new middle east and these Israeli-Palestinians issues are the old middle east-- or the core conflict. Stop milking the USA and make peace.

Ever hear of the Carlyle Group? It is a private investment bank which owns many defense contractors, subsidiaries and construction firms. Many well known Americans of the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush and George W. Bush administration are partners and/or employees. Many rich Arabs, particularly Saudis are also partners. There was quite a rush to buy-out the Bin Laden family after 9-11. Yes, the Bush family and friends make big money off of wars and arms sales. Israelis should not be shocked that the partners of the Carlisle Group enrich themselves several ways by selling American arms to Arab nations. Now America is in deep financial trouble, and Israel will just have to put up with America selling arms to anyone it can for a while. We have already pissed China off with a big arms sale to Taiwan. This isn't a matter of foreign policy, it's about MONEY. And that is what makes the world of the wealthy go around. Besides, we need the foreign trade. . .

I couldn't have said it better myself. They have taken our generosity for granted, as though they are entitled to what we give them.

your bloody pals will have finally learned ( if possible) that crime does not pay. But, for now, the rockets red glare from Gaza just signifys they can't aim straight or, hit the side of a barn but, they keep trying and, it will invite your own deaths and more misery. Fire on! Rave on! Suffer endlessly and keep blaming Israel while your walled out and made to be no more than a proxy army of malcontents and losers.

The y band radar that is currently stationed in Israel is a portable device. It could easily be stationed in Cyprus if it was intended to have a wider strategic value in the region. Menwith Hill and Flyingdales in Yorkshire are both radar stations which have been upgraded for the anti ballistic missile thingie. The X band radar stationed in Israel is so that the Arrow works. The 700 million that has been provided by the United States to develop the Arrow missile system is a drop in the ocean in the scheme of things. It also gives the United States control over who can buy the system if Israel ever gets it to work. A bit like the S-300 Israel doesn't want Iran to have decent air defence systems because it would make a virtually impossible job a suicidal one. The United states doesn't want Israel selling anti ballistic technology to the Chinese. It is called playing the game, and besides isn't it wierd if Israel doesn't need US help they accept $700 million of aid.

"Kuwait had advanced air craft, far more than Iraq." Any ten-year-old can disprove such ridiculous allegations within two minutes by browsing through Wikipedia. Furthermore, even advanced aircraft are useless when enemy tanks are driving along the runways ...

as the chief financial sponsor of AQ become included as "moderate Arab states - Saudi Arabia" ?

what a hollow arrogance and sheer racism, excuse my french. we all know that israelis invest a lot in warfare and pilots training, that is however nothing to be proud of, specially that these "top guns" are killing mostly innocent civilians and destroying homes and schools, and all this is achieved against defensless and unarmed people. these guys should be ashamed of their records, and you of your ignorance.

The Obama regime is taking this a step further. In May Israel requested to buy some Apaches Obama turned down the request. Egypt requested Apaches and Obama gave the go ahead Israel was interested in buying the stealthy version of F15 This plane was designed for export only, Obama regime decided that this version will not be allowed to be avalible with military aid. Egypt has bought attack boats, harpoon missiles, JDAMS and man other weapons. Jordan has bought F16s & Javalin anti tank missiles The grounds are to protect them from Iran but anybody notice Iran has no borders with any of those countries. Congress sold F15 to the Saudis on condition they were not based within range of Israel, that demand was ignored & the US has so far refused to tell to remove them from striking range of Israel. George Mitchel has just said if there is no progress on the peace process the US will impose sanctions on Israel. At this rate pretty soon there will be US flag burnings in Israel

No matter how advanced the weapons are. Its all about the men who use them. Even the Saudi Royal Air-force could not have saved tiny neighbor and friend Kuwait during the invasion by Iraq. Saudia had many more aircraft than Mr.Saddam Hussein. Kuwait had advanced air craft, far more than Iraq. Yet, it was the US and the coalition forces that came to aid Kuwait and save Saudi Arabia from further Iraqi incursions. Israeli fighter pilots are all Top Gun, equivalent or better. That is where the story ends. Yes, its paranoia, with a sprinkling of media hype. Have a nice day.

Looks like Israel isn't the only country that can go back on promises. Serves them right.

U.S. arms sales to Israel, like with all other recipients, are subject to stringent End-Use Monitoring (EUM) as mandated by the Arms Export Control Act (see Section 40A of P.L. 90-629 as amended) The 1952 Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement and subsequent arms agreements between Israel and the United States limit the use of U.S. military equipment to defensive purposes. The Arms Export Control Act states that the United States may stop aid to countries which use U.S. military assistance for purposes other than "legitimate selfdefense" Section 502B of the US Foreign Assistance Act stipulates that "no security assistance may be provided to any country the government of which engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights'. Section 4 of the Arms Export Control Act authorises the supply of US military equipment and training only for lawful purposes of internal security, "legitimate self-defence," or participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations or other operations consistent with the UN Charter. However, under the US Export Administration Act, security assistance may be provided if the President certifies that 'extraordinary circumstances' exist, so Section 502B is circumvented. The Leahy Law prohibits the USA from providing most forms of security assistance to any military or police unit when there is "credible evidence" that members of the unit are committing gross human rights violations. These are the real reasons why Israel and USA are desperately trying to discredit the Goldstone Report...

When you tell us to FO when we ask you to freeze settlement building in West Bank and Jeruselem, why should we care if you have an "edge" over the people you have been stomping on

"this is just another ploy meant to milk the u.s. some more." And why not? If the USA is willing to manufacture and sell superior tools of war, wby shouldn't Israel want the very best? That is not the problem. The problem is that Israel also wants the USA to NOT sell to anybody else. An exclusive right to purchase extended to a single buyer is not good business. So Israel can forget ahout that!

the u.s. would not be positioning one of its most advanced radar capability's in israel if it judged such a strategic decline. nor would the u.s. contribute to israeli development of anti-missile technology such as the arrow class weapon systems.

you might find information in "u.s. foreign aid to israel," jeremy m sharp congressional research service. qualitative edge to israel is a congressional mandate.

You ask do rational, decent people attack those who have defended them? You mean, like the Liberty? Or the Lavon Affair?

The United States and others including the United Kingdom armed the Muahadeen to stop the Soviet Union advancing South from Afghanistan and threatening the oil fields of the Middle East. Likewise arming Israel was seen as a way of maintaining a foothold in the Eastern Mediterranean. It had the added bonus of garnering the Jewish vote in the US. Unfortunately for Israel since the demise of the Soviet Union, Saddam Hussein and the rise of Iran as a regional superpower. Planet Earth's attention has moved away from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Northern Gulf and also to countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and now since Christmas Day Yemen. One way to make friends is to allow these countries to have soe military kit (also with a global meltdown it is handy they have a commodity the world wants which provides an income). The fact is and Israelis and Israel firsters are finding great difficulty in accepting is that the strategic importance of Israel is on the decli

Israel sold US missile and fighter technology to China in addition to the secrets stolen by Pollard and other Israeli spies to the Soviets, to who cares?

"the u.s. has a very bad habit. it tends to arm potential enemies." It is the way the Arsenal of Democracy stays in business! What would you have? Disarmament? Nix o that! Not good for business!

I would like to agree with you, Ahmet; but the paranoiacs of the Middle East are not jusr not up to changing their emotional bent on war. Fear feeds their paranoia which feeds their fear which feeds their paran........... etc. Some are simply not reliable when it comes to seeking peace.

your post prompted me to do a little looking myself... and from i can garnish, there's no specific security agreement that commits the united states. it's a "commitment" by the u.s. that began as far back as the '60's, and was first explicitly voiced by reagan, and every president since. it's a long standing de facto "commitment to maintain israel's qualitative military edge against all its potential adversaries. you can't find a link to the agreement because there is no specific agreement...and there's certainly no stated degree to which that "edge" needs be maintained. and personally, i think it's an unwise "commitment" for the u.s. to make to ANY country.

"Why does the United States take orders from Israel concerning our weapons sales?" Israel manufatures arms, sells them to foreign nations. The Arsenal of Democracy manufactures arms, sells them to Israel. American taxpayers foot the bill. Everyone but the Ameican taxpayer benefits. Meanwhile in Russia .............. When you get right down to the dirt, it is businesses, not governments, that run this earth. It's all a part of the big picture.

if you want to blame reagan, be my guest. now, why don't you blame the arabs and the fanatic muslim terrorists? do rational, decent people turn against those who have defended them?

I am surprised by this development especially from a U.S government who was in cahoots with Israel for so long but then again Neocons also love profits as much as apocalyptic prophecies.

Oh my word! Captialists are still at it! "The Americans justified the arms sales with the need to bolster these countries against the perceived threat posed by Iran." When will the Israelis learn? Sale of arms has nothing to do with loyaty to a foreign government! It is simply a matter of business! One of the preferred methods is to sell arms to both sides in a potential conflict. The excuse is to maintain a balance of power. The real reason is to make money, a process at which the Republicans are particularly adept. Would you shut down a 90 year old industry just to be nice to someone? The government may make all kinds of promises; but one way or another, the businesses will sell their product. Do you get it now?

Bush sold Arab States arms... and so did his father and all US Presidents before him. Every Jew/Israeli should read the book Secret Wars Against the Jews by John Loftus & Mark Aarons and you will find out how the world as screwed Israel & Jews, especially the US. This should be a required reading in Public Schools in the US & Israel. Having friends like the US Israel doesn't need enemies.

The Stingers to Bin Laden came under Reagan. The earlier deals Charlie Wilson came mostly under Reagan, too. Carter didn't contribute much except outrage and an Olympic boycott. He was bogged down trying to save the Shah, unsuccessfully, and with the Hostage Crisis. Check your dates.

than Arabs on the battlefield. They just have the better equipment. That has been true of all the armies who have conquered down the ions. Nothing to be ashamed of there. But I would not accept that this story is true. The fact is Saudi Arabia is in the middle of renewing it's airforce. The Americans sold them the F-16 because Saudi Arabia was going to buy the Typhoon and wanted a slice of the action. And if the United States didn't sell Saudi the F-16, then the Saudis would have just brought an extra 200 Typhoons. A story to make Israelis feel good about themselves with no basis on reality. Even the satellite bombs sold could have been brought from Russia, or in the coming years from Europe as Galileo gets up and running. Face it Israel had a great party for 40 years it's over now you are suffering the hangover, and it is going to be one hell of a hangover.

you really sound defencive! the policy to arm the mujahadeen was a u.s. policy, not an israeli one. it was a naive and ill thought out policy. indeed, the entire afghan policy, started under carter and brzesinski, was ill thought out. the u.s. should have let the soviets get mired there without interference. brzesinski was a soviet hater and far from objective. i realise that the u.s. has helped israel on varied occasions. however, as you said, nobody is perfect.

In the 1980s the US used Israeli-captured arms to arm the Mujaheddin in Afghanistan against the Soviets. The deal was partially brokered by the Egyptians and financed by the Saudis. That's how Bin Laden got his start, with Israeli help, too. Nobody's perfect. The US also helped broker the end of the 1948 Israel-Arab war. Our Ambassador got a Nobel for it. That's where the Green Line came from. Was that a mistake too? And Jimmy Carter helped broker the Israel-Egypt Peace. It involved some security guarantees for both Egypt and the Israelis. Was that a mistake too?

avionics are very important for sure, and israel has her own. however, there can come a time when quantity becomes overwhelming for a small country surrounded on all sides.

You are one to talk about power balancing coming from Turkey. Turkey has been embroiled in a fight with the Kurds of northern Iraq for years and has used its "Advanced Weapons" to slaughters the Kurds and violate Iraqi sovereignty on more occasions than can be counted. The U.S. has on numerous occasions asked Turkey to stop killing Kurds and to stop its incursions into Iraq but its still happening. How about some balance of power there.

I have looked and can't seem to find where the treaty or agreement was committed to writing. Does anybody have a link so I can read the wording of the agreement. Eric has a point. To what extent of a qualitative edge is the US committed? Please somebody let me know where the written agreement is printed.

it tends to arm potential enemies. the islamic world is a potential enemy. the difference between extremists and moderates is insignificant. they all preach the same sermons.

when in fact israel retains its edge. just how much of an edge is this agreement suppose to guarantee? also, in the case of the fighter jets, the "number" of jets isn't as important as what avionics and software are included with them. THAT'S where the "edge" lies. this is just another ploy meant to milk the u.s. some more.

is asked to UNDO the arms deals that israel's "good buddy" bush had arranged? were i obama, i'd tell israel "sorry, but i DO hope you'll understand".

Why is Israel so obsessed with Iran? When did Iran begin to be a threat when the persians never attacked anyone for more than 300 years? The truth is just that Israel want to maintain it's domination on the middle east but with Iran becoming a regional power, Israel is forcing the US to do something about it. And the myth that Israel was in danger by the Arabs countries is just a complete fabrication...talk about peace yeah whatever...

Our leaders must acknowledge that the US has long ago stopped being a friend of Israel (It seems that the Nixon Administration was Israel's last friend) and furthermore it is a terrorist country holding Yonathan Pollard hostage. In fact they hold the whole country hostage under the hreat of withholding the guarantees: we must learn to do without the guarantees and the American arms and mainly: without their Esaw's kiss!

Is Israel planning a war with the UAE, Egypt or Saudi Arabia? If not then this is a non-issue. We give and give and give to Israel and it's never enough. That Israel wants the US to have NO friends in the Middle East is crap. Say THANK YOU for what you are getting from the benevolence of the US and stop whinning you ungrateful bastards. After all Bush did for Israel the one thing he did to keep moderate friends in the neighborhood had Israeli leaders planning to take up with the incoming administration. Breathtaking ingratitude.

Remember the first war after 1948 when armies from more than 6 Arab nations tried to overrun the new nation of Israel? Israel neither had an airforce or sophisticated weaponry, and were outnumbered by a huge ratio. Guess who came to Israel's help? Hashem of course. Israel won. In every successive war, Israel was quantitatively outnumbered in both weapons, men and equipment, and the Arabs always had the best weapons that their money could buy, and yet they stood no chance in the final outcome. Remember who the real force is, it is not Israel, nor advanced weaponry. It is Hashem who watches over Israel. Israel's enemies stand no chance. Let your heart not be troubled.

I would put my money on Israeli pilots against Arab pilots any day. Still no contest.

And how the last governments were trumpeting that Bush was a "True friend of Israel". It seemed anyone with half a brain here knew otherwise. At least with Obama we know were we stand - alone !

Its about time they start policing there own people so our young men and women can come home. And any one that doesnt like it can arm there selfs too.

All's fair in love and war...........

The creative Jewish scientists (you know, the people who belong to the nation that has won half the Nobel prizes for science), will always ensure that the Jews have the cutting edge. The reason why Germany did not have the edge over the USA during WWII was that the Jewish scientists emigrated to the USA when the Germans became nasty. It is very, very simple to stop the IDF from launching attacks - stop threatening Israel, the tiny nation in the Middle East. The nations that keep threatening Israel have huge amounts of land, it is not going to make any economic difference to them whether Israel is there or not, they are still going to be living the lives of backward third world nations.

The creative Jewish scientists (you know, the people who belong to the nation that has won half the Nobel prizes for science), will always ensure that the Jews have the cutting edge. The reason why Germany did not have the edge over the USA during WWII was that the Jewish scientists emigrated to the USA when the Germans became nasty. It is very, very simple to stop the IDF from launching attacks - stop threatening Israel, the tiny nation in the Middle East. The nations that keep threatening Israel have huge amounts of land, it is not going to make any economic difference to them whether Israel is there or not, they are still going to be living the lives of backward third world nations.

While your ex-leftist gov did nothing, as it did nothing to stop the Amazonas for being destroyed. Not you can throw the first stone!!!

Take a look at what Israel's superior weapons did in Gaza a year ago. www.israeli-war-crimes.org Viva Palestina!

If Israel withdrew to the 67 borders there would be full recognition of Israel and normalisation of ties with Arab states (Saudi Peace Initiative). Then Israel wouldnt fear its neighbours acquiring their normal share of defense weapons. But with no peace treaty Israel is able to receive US military aid and carry out cross border attacks justifying it with the current situation.So Saudi Arabia has the right acquire whatever weapons it wants. It has offered peace to Israel but Israel is the one who rejected it in 2002.

Why does the United States take orders from Israel concerning our weapons sales?

Their pilots are superior

...that they forget that they have enough nuclear bombs to destroy half the world acting as a deterrent.

to beef up the war of strategic significance, Bab el-Mandab, world oil shipping choke point between Yemen and Somalia. And to squeeze out China, and any other "perceived threat" to American control. The US is only concerned with its own superiority! The IDF are just one spoke in the wheel of US imperialism. Ha, ha!

Arabs can buy f15s, but their pilots can never be trained enough to fly them effectively (like they could not fly mig21s properly 40 years ago), it is a question of training, discipline and know-how. Plus, the antiquated avionics and the weapons are sold to them in such a way that the only function of the f15s can be to parade during the national days, they are pure ornaments. Can you believe that the american could ever sell true weapons to arabs for heavens sake !! So Israel's arguments are baseless. Only nonwestern country (apart from Japan, Russia and China) that, at least in theory, can create airborne danger to Israel is india and it would never do it anyway. I smell paranoia in the air.