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Did Israel postpone joint drill with US?
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 17.01.12, 23:22
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24 Talkbacks for this article
1. here comes another Lebanon failure
zionist forever   (01.17.12)
One of the reasons for Israel's failure in Lebanon was over a decade of defense cuts where we got to the stage that the IDF was using outdated equipment & Hezbollah had new gear and even live fire exercises in the IDF were few and far between to save money. Reserves were no longer being called up for regular training so skills were lost. After the war we had an investigation into what went wrong found a couple of scapegoats bought some new toys and said we got it right now. Now though we are about to enter another era of budget cuts and thanks to Daphne Leef the IDF is going to see more and more cuts year in year out to pay for social justice and then one day there will be another war and we will screw it up and start looking to blame somebody. Already the IDF is looking into canceling the free travel on busses and trains to soldiers to save money.
2. This new version is music for my ears !
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (01.17.12)
So I very much hope for it, to be the true version !
3. Capital of Israel
Cinrad ,   Brisbane, Australia   (01.18.12)
Jerusalem?????
4. Bovine Flatulence?
new_york_loner ,   Rochester, NY   (01.18.12)
If this isn't BS, it's very close. Israel doesn't want the US Army poking its nose around at this time...something crappy is afoot. Bibi is up to no good.
5. War costs money!
Israelite555 ,   Miami, FL   (01.18.12)
Israel does not have 300 million people paying taxes. To fight a war a county must be able to bankroll the expense. The fact is, while the Israeli economy is on an incline, war would only slow that down or reverse it. Israel, stop picking battles and start making sacrifices to obtain International allies. War games won't help Israel prepare for war, only for harder economic times and death of its citizens. I am not opposed to war, but Israel spends too much time thinking and planning for war instead of for lasting peace or for building loyal allies. Where ever you spend the majority of your time on is what you will be good at. In this case, I think Israel should spend its time on wiser ventures. Good luck either way!
6. Do the Math
Noodles ,   Coney Island   (01.18.12)
Israel cancels, because it feels the administration is dragging it's feet (and that's putting it lightly) in regards to Iran. Although a more diplomatic reason was offered. Immediately afterward the administration is squawking as loud as it can, that they're afraid that Israel will act unilaterally against Iran. 2+2=4.
7. A twist
Li ,   USA   (01.18.12)
Some media reported that the U.S. (or perhaps Israel) did not want to have U.S. soldiers on Israeli soil in the event of missiles landing, suggesting some people anticipate Israel launching an attack that would be followed by missiles from the north.
8. If Israel can't afford to carry out a drill ...
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (01.18.12)
... how does it think it will afford a major conflict, never mind a war? When Israel started talking about defense cuts to pay for increased social expenditures, I feared this would be the result.
9. I've been saying it forever..WE NEED TO MOVE TO
Al   (01.18.12)
professional army. This peoples army is not working. It is inefficient, loaded with dead weight and has very rotten teeth. You are spending tons of time and resources playing poiltical games, while the army is getting weaker and weaker. The next war is coming. you are not ready. Israel is in deep trouble. You must move to a professional army now..its your only hope.
10. October - Better Timing
Mark ben Josef ,   USA   (01.18.12)
Since it will be a surprise to most voters in the USA, October will be better timing. That will cement Obama's place in the elections. Also, Congress has to add the billions to the US defense budget and probably short something else to pay the US costs. Either way Congress will put it on the credit card and close down some government effort, like nuclear safety (regulation).
11. There is virtually no way that Israel would have cancelled..
Rafi ,   US   (01.18.12)
... such a vital drill. In all likelihood it is the Obama Admin's skitishness regarding Iran - about whom they apparently are ultra-concerned about offending or - God forbid - provoking. Witness Sect of State Clinton's MAJOR effort to deny any US involvement in last week's hit on Iranian nuclear scientist. We probably won't know the real details for year to come, but the perception is certainly that the US is frightened about what Iran may or may not do these days... Cancellation of the joint exercise seems to be one more example of that policy... Where is Geo Bush #43 when we need him?? For what it's worth there's little doubt that Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry or Michele Bachmann would know how to handle Iran...
12. Why was the joint exercize cancelled?
Syd Chaden ,   Palermo Calif USA   (01.18.12)
About the only thing that you can be certain of is that the real reason is none of the explanations that have been given.
13. The Truth
Harrybaby ,   Canada   (01.18.12)
Why give Obama a leg up during an election year. This was nothing less than a cynical move by this President to garner the Jewish vote in the US. Rest easy Barack, any Jew who votes for you will also be aligned with the two Jewish Capo's from the NYT, Thomas Friedman and roger Cohen. The rest will be voting for anybody, but Obama.
14. The cheap IDF
Sheik Rattle & Roll ,   USA   (01.18.12)
How do they expect to fight Iran in a never ending war if they can't conduct an exercise that is crucial for the defense of the country? I guess what can you expect out of a country that pays it's soldiers a $100.00 a month for sacrificing there lives for 2-3 years.
15. "Exercise" to be performed over Teheran very soon :)
(01.18.12)
16. joint military ; to 3
dr daniel mostrel ,   paris france   (01.18.12)
yes for sure
17. So why do we need Obamas Trojan Horse guys in IL in meantime
Alan ,   SA   (01.18.12)
18. #9 disagree
israel israeli ,   tel aviv   (01.18.12)
The only thing keeping Israel democratic is the peoples' IDF. The moment the government controls a "professional army" of mercenaries we will lose our freedom. They will all be YSM troopers who take a sadistic pleasure in attacking civilians, with no accountability and hide behind Sharon's famous "an order is an order".
19. To: No. 14
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.18.12)
Don't worry about us, bubbeleh. We've got lots and lots of nukes, we've got delivery capacity, and we are not shy about using them. Frankly the Keystone Kops United States troops would just get in our way. We've seen what you've "accomplished" in various theatres across the world and, frankly, we are not at all impressed. Remember Somalia, Sheikh? Rattle and roll around THAT one, why don't you? Just stay the hell out of our way.
20. Israel doesn't want Americans peeking around
DanielaroundD ,   Netherlands   (01.18.12)
21. ALL ARE OUT OF THE WAY,SARAH...#19
MAHMOOD ,   LONDON-UK   (01.18.12)
And the whole world knows what you have as well.This tune has been playing for the last six years or so.Time for you to write something more sensible.
22. @ 19 Sara B
Sheik rattle & roll ,   USA   (01.18.12)
Are you an Israeli or an American or an Israeli living in America or an American that lives in the States and bashes America? By the way I do remember Somalia and what is your point? Oh by the way I really believe that you are not playing with a full deck or maybe you got a little lost in the sauce because if you believe for one second that Israel/US could strike Iran with nukes and then have a victory parade the day after you are insane because I believe nobody in there right mind will consider those weapons.
23. iran strike
joel ,   usa   (01.19.12)
what can iran do if israel will strike its nuke productions, ha? hezbollah, use the limited nuke bombs to wipe them out first, and "bulldoze" Gaza strip to the med sea; that's just peanuts, and concentrate on the iranian oil fields just like what saddam did to kuwait, ha, ha, ha, and its over? this time israel will only have iran as the enemy, ok?
24. Joint drill
Hilda ,   USA   (01.20.12)
If you believe that Israel cancelled the drill for budget concerns, I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you. No way do I believe this. It is all part of the surprise letter which Obama sent to is buddy Ahadmenajad where he asked to be allowed a private talk. It was Obama throwing America's best friend under the bus.
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