"Iranian President Ahmadinejad calls for Israel to be wiped off the map and talks of the Jewish people's annihilation.  America should send a message to the Iranian dictator - Israel will have the full weight of America's missile defense system to defend herself," stated Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk. To that end, On May 5, almost 70 leading Democrats and Republicans signed the Kirk-Harman Letter backing the X-Band Ground-Based Early Warning Radar Fully Integrated with U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense Program. The radar would double Israel's missile defense range, increase engagement time six-fold.Iran has expanded its ballistic missile program and is testing a new "Ashura" long-range ballistic missile - an upgrade to the "Shahab-3" capable of hitting Israel and Europe. "Israel's security is in constant jeopardy.  As an important ally and shining democratic example in the Middle East, her protection is a top U.S. priority,"...(Read Full Post)