Israel no longer dependent on U.S. military assistance

The Seattle Times Company ^ | April 9 2002 | David Wood

[F.J. Mitchell]

Sounds like the Arabs are even more suicidal than we have assumed-or just as stupid as we have assumed.

[vladog]

This is b/s of the first water, if the US were to cut ties with Israel they would be gone inside 6 months.

[CasearianDaoist]

(From milnet)
Forces in Arms
Data valid on 1/1/86:
Total Armed Forces: 141,000 (98,300 conscripts, with a mobilization capabilitiy of 500,000 of which 100,000 can report within 24 hours.
Total Defense 1984 Budget: $4 - 8 billion

This is smaller than the USMC, our smallest force (with reserves roughly 200,000.)

Someone is full if it.

[luvzhottea]

U.S. Aid To Israel

A Conservative Total for U.S. Aid to Israel: $91 Billion-and Counting, by Shirl McArthur, Jan/Feb 2001

[AzSteven]

Of course, the figures in the article are crap. Israel can field 19 division equivalents IF they mobilize all first and second tier reserves and if you count support and combat support formations like Engineers (no offense to any Engineers out there; you guys generally kick butt!). The US figures seem to totally ignore our National Guard forces; including only regular Army and Marine forces and perhaps some Army Reserve components.

The sortie figures look to be similarly skewed; the Israeli Air Force is a top-notich organization, but the numbers presented for them represent a wartime pulse tempo using 100& of their forces, and the figures for the US represent current tempos, where we have significant forces invovled in combat but nowhere near what we could bring to bear (or that we have brought to bear when operation tempos were higher).

My guess is the 'between the lines' point here is that we (the US) should embargo any more weapons sales to Israel, since they are obviously bad guys anyway and can take care of themselves far beter than we can. I just finished reading another post about severe logisitical problems with the IDF Merkava fleet becuase some German company is witholding shipment of some engine components. Can't have it both ways; Israel is strong, but is not even close to self-sufficient for any long or even medium term military struggle.

[chiefqc]

While I'm not fan of the Arab's, they are easy to lead. Thake a look at the human bombs that they make of themselves while people like Ara-O-Fatty stay way,way,way back from the danger.

They are stupid because they listen to lying morons like the fatman.

[vance]

Israel can kick the crap out of the Arabs, which is why the Arabs never really back up the Palestinians in any concrete way.

[Sabramerican]

You mean like in 1948, 1956, 1967?

Some think Israel did better for itself before the US became such a close friend.

[Nonstatist]

My guess is the 'between the lines' point here is that we (the US) should embargo any more weapons sales to Israel

Yea, behind the exaggerations here, there is some "between the lines" motive. Build 'em up to knock 'em down?

[cicero's_son]

Yep. It's so wonderful to be able to share our success with a people and culture that shares our values.

How does it feel to be like the old CPUSA, which used to go on and on about how we "oughta" be allied with the likes of Uncle Joe? Most Americans knew better, of course, just as they know better than to trust Arab lies today.

[mgstarr]

they would be gone inside 6 months

LOL...hardly.

[tomahawk]

This is good news, both for the U.S. and for Israel.

[Stavka2]

Just out of curiosity....how? Besides, if the Islamics launched an all out war, there would soon be 500 million less Islamics and about 200+ nuclear craters....hmmm, maybe not such a bad thing...but I'd personally prefer to baptise them all to Orthodoxy...willing or not.

[The Green Goblin]

Israel no longer dependent on U.S. military assistance

Good, it's about time we cut 'em off!

[wheezer]

Some think Israel did better for itself before the US became such a close friend.

I can see how some could make that arguement, and I could also see how some could propose that...

...America did better for itself before Israel became such a close (and costly) friend.

[Tickle Me Pank]

Data valid on 1/1/86:

[Stavka2]

Though the Isrealies are good soldiers...well the Arabs are Arabs and the only major battle tactic they ever mastered was: Allah Aukbar...charge!

[Stavka2]

Shall the US cut off the $10 billion + a year it spends on defense of the Saudies that then repay the US by bombing it? How about eh $3 billion it gives directly to Egypt every year, so that it's citizens can dance in the streets while 3 thousand US citizens perish?

[rockfish59]

i'm sure david would approve being well armed when surrounded by a bunch of bloodthirsty goliaths!