As a former employee of IMI during the development of the Merkava, I have first-hand knowledge that you're wrong. There are NO German-made parts in the Merkava at all. The only foreign-made parts are the engine and drive train (Collins Diesel). In fact, as a self-employed technical writer, I recently translated and set up the technical specs of several Merkava systems that the US army wants to install in their Abrams tanks.

Rescuing pilots is about saving lives. It has nothing to do with another country fighting for Israel. So why complain if they are ready, willing, and able to assist in the recovery of Israeli pilots. In some cases they may be in a better position/location to do so.

I’m always amazed at how you know exactly what everyone else is thinking. You are obviously clairvoyant.

Israel asked permission to bomb the Iraqi Osirik reactor? Israel asked permission to bomb the Syrian/ North Korean reactor? Iran is a much bigger deal, true. But history shows that Israel does not always do what the US decides.

Citing a failed US rescue attempt that occurred 32 years ago is completely irrelevant. I think the numerous SEAL operations in the past three years alone can prove our SF is up to any task. Using 32 year old evidence is about as relevant as Hezbollah was in 1980 during the time of the rescue attempt...

oh come on Sarah Israel is a military power but what are you going to do after the missiles start falling? run to your bunker? listen when it comes down to it Israel can't do it alone...no matter how proud you are as an "Israeli American" which i also find hard to believe that someone who speaks so venemously about the states could be a citizen...anyways point is...stop ranting about how you guys can do it yourselves...your army is one of the best if not the best in the world...but Israel and her tireless army is not invincible, I personally want to see Israel flourish and succeed beyond any zionists biggest dream...but im not disillusioned about what would happen if Israel goes by herself ...yeah obama sucks but c'mon u guys do need the USA and you can't argue that fact

The Merkava is an overhyped, overspecelized hunk of metal that happens to suit Israel's security needs. That does not make it the best tank in the world.

Each and every Security Council resolution ever brought up concerning Israel is nonbinding and unenforceable. The U.S. can keep its veto -- the United Nations has no moral legitimacy any more. You need look no further than the Russian and Chinese veto of the resolution condemning the ongoing violence in Syria. Moreover, has the absolute useless of U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon escaped your notice?

Would you rather discuss Somalia? Or how about the mess in Afghanistan, which is ongoing? Yemen? Waziristan?

Iran firing missiles into Israel is tantamount to signing its own death warrant. Israel is a nuclear power.

Interesting to read that the US position has been that the Iran regime shouldn't be set preconditions to the outcome before negotiations.But setting preconditions before negotiating with Israel is exactly what Abbas and the PA have been doing for years...with Obama's backing. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

One of the gifts/burdens of being a cynical realist, sol.

pathetic and laughable. I think he knows that you are right on every point. He is just purposefully trying to mock and aggravate.

...they may wait until it is too late.

There was nothing wrong with Somalia, a small number of highly trained soldiers killed between 800-1000 enemy combatants while taking extremely low casualties. It took the entire IDF two weeks to achieve that during Cast Lead.

Really? Why? What have you done for US lately? And the comment about "...Israel's ability to maintain normal life ...", why aren't you worried about YOUR WAR with Iran disrupting everyone else's ability to 'maintain normal life'?

do their own fighting?What have the Moslems/Arabs done for the USA? What has Israel done for the USA? Why not look up what repeated Senior US administration officials have said ?like say General Haigh etc etc. Please let us know where Israel asked for its pilots to be rescued by the USA?

The Merkava's guidance systems are made by Elbit, an Israeli company. In case you haven't heard, Boeing just inked a ten-year contract with Elbit to update all of its on-board computer systems. Hunk of metal? Dream on. It's the best tank in the world, which is why successive generations of the Abrams tank -- the mainstay American battle tank -- are modeled upon it. But I guess you didn't know that, did you? Now you do. Care to rethink your idiocy? Can you? Doubtful.

1. Israel trains our (US) troops to fight in built up villages of the ME. Any improvement Israel makes on US military equipment is shared with the US. Israel provides the US with intelligence information which is difficult for Israel to collect, but impossible for the US. 2. Iran has threatened Israel and "the Great Satan", ie the US. They are establishing terrorist cells throughout the world. They are responsible for killing many US soldiers through supplying ieds to terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan and training them. They are responsible for killing US Marines and French soldiers in Lebanon. They have said, many times, that they intend to kick the US out of the region. They are disrupting everyone's ability to maintain a normal life, including the US. You may not want this to be the US's war, but Iran has decided differently. If you can't see this, you are blind, plain and simple.

"Israel is a nuclear power", yes indeed, but the way you say it made me laugh. Honestly do you think throwing nuclear at countries is a piece of cake and the world will support it? Come on, be a little bit reasonable. You always look at 1 side (Israel is powerful), yes no body denies this fact but we are in 2012 and whether you like it or not, Iran is a nuclear power as well and has tons of unknown advanced weapons. You once again miss the facts that all Israel chemical sites and Demona could be targeted from Lebanon and Syria, which could cause catastrophique tragedies. We are not talking about who will win the war but more likely how many innocent lives will be taken from both sides ! The politiciens will be hidden in bunkers and my family and yours will pay the bill !!! We (humans) have the ability to destroy the earth 300 times if not more and yet countries are still thinking to build more destructive weapon and call for wars. In our time the human being is less cheaper then a bullet !

About Israel attacking Irans nuclear sites???? Odds are...he'll keep playing golf with his best buddy Freidman.

The best tank in the world. Oh yes, then Hezbollah is the most powerful "army" in the world then, because they destroyed many of those "Merkhavas" of which armor was claimed as "inpenetrable". Happy dreams.

however the real problem is the Russian, Chinese, Indians, Japanese, South Koreans and a few Eurowimp countries. You people (Israeli's) act like the US owes you something. We owe you nothing and the fact of the matter is that with all the diplomatic cover (UN VETO) and military aid it is not us Americans that owes Israel nothing it should be the other way around. In fact we are a sovereign nation that should look out for American interest and American interest only. If Iran nukes threatens the US interest then we should act according to our time line and no ones else's period and end of story.

"Iran is a nuclear power as well and has tons of unknown advanced weapons." Interesting, that you know more than the rest of the world. (Caution: all their 'advanced weapons' are photo shopped.) And your statement "Honestly do you think throwing nuclear at countries is a piece of cake and the world will support it? " should be directed at Iran. But remember; they don't care if the world will support it or not. On the other hand, your memory seems to be very selective.

I'm not kidding at all, and no i don't know more then the rest of the world. I simply read more then you :-) Photoshoped? right, you should watch TV from time to time, anyway Believe in whatever you want to believe but be sure that no one will attacks Iran not now not ever :) Maybe with your wise brain you can explain why Obama is against any military actions from Israel against Iran and why the EU wants to sit on the table with Iran to discuss their nuclear. Hmmmm i wonder....

1. You may read more than me, but what do you read? Is it the announcement by Iran that they have developed a missile system better than the Russian S-300 (coincidentally right after Russia refused to sell it to them)? And did you also read that right after that, they complained that Russia wouldn't sell it to them? Why complain, if you have something better? :-) 2. Obama has stated that he will attack Iran should it become necessary. There is a disagreement between the US and Israel as to how far along Iran is in its goal to get the nuclear bomb. 3. The Europeans are repeating the mistake of appeasement as they did before WW2. As I said, your memory seems to be very selective.

1- About S-300 system, Iran payed for it so it's normal to complain when it's not delivered to them. 2- No it's not just a disagreement between the US and Israel, US has always supported Israel whether by Veto's, Weapons and money, why they have decide now to oppose the attack on Iran? 3- How do you know that the goal of Iran is nuclear bomb? Again it's the propaganda and lies like the weapons of mass destruction in IRAQ which they never exists. 4- The US knows that attacks against Iran will create a big mess in the middle east and that's means involving Iran, Syria and Lebanon. 5- If such attacks occurs, the oil barell will cost like 300$ which is catastrophic to Europe, this is why they are against it. 6- Meir Dagan (Ex mossad chief), which i think is politically way smarter then me and you said stated yesterday to CBC: "A military strike against Iran's nuclear program would be "stupid." You can read it yourself on CBC. 7- I'm not here to prove myself right or wrong, i'm just sharing my thoughts and yes i'm against any attack on any country which could cause the loss of hundreds of innocents whether they are from Iran or Israel.