U.S. Missile Defense Is Problematic for Israel's Vulnerable Skies

By C. Hart

Rumors are flying around the Middle East as reporters anticipate an imminent strike on Iran's nuclear facilities by a U.S.-led coalition or by Israeli forces going it alone. Several factors have led the way towards this media frenzy, including a recent shift in U.S. and Israeli foreign policy. Israeli Corporal Gilad Shilat is free from captivity, to the relief of young soldiers who do mandatory service in the IDF and who will be expected to fight in Israel's next war. Shalit's freedom in the controversial October 2011 prisoner exchange with Hamas has cleared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's desk so he can give more attention to the threat of Iran. Concentration on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is now in international hands, led by the Quartet (U.S., U.N., EU, and Russia) rather than solely by U.S. interlocutors. With no advancement in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, diplomacy is at a stalemate, leading to a focus on military matters. Continued instability in the Middle East dominates the agendas of international leaders.... (Read Full Article)