Opinion  Ron Ben-Yishai
US gains more from arms deal
Ron Ben-Yishai
Published: 28.04.13, 10:41
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17 Talkbacks for this article
1. Arms to arab countries
Bijou Jousef ,   India   (04.28.13)
Mark my words, the serpent will hit back at the hand feeding it. US is making a terrible mistake. Twin towers going to repeat in US shortly.
2. old tankers and tilt rotor planes rather than new helicopter
zionist forver   (04.28.13)
long term we may regret buying the KC135 because of maintenance costs. The KC135 is based on a Boeing 707 which has not been in production for decades so this is obviously a surplus USAF tanker so it will be an old plane with alot of miles on the clock. The IAF already has plenty of civilian jets converted to tankers so where is the benefit? Better to buy new aircraft from the production line but rather than buying a full civilian airliner to convert buy an empty shell and convert that to a tanker in Israel. The fail to see how the Osprey will do anything for protecting gas rigs that helicopter could not. For protecting gas rigs we need a helicopter not a much more expensive vehicle which you buy because you want a plane which can take off and land like a helicopter. If we are concerned about the gas rigs to buy cheaper heavy lift helicopters to replace the current fleet of Sea Stallions which are approaching the end of their lifespan. The V22 is designed for long range operations not mainly for flying around within our own border or short distances from them.
3. 'PAX AMERICANA'=divide and rule=opposite of TRUE SHALOM
Jerry ,   The Netherlands   (04.28.13)
4. Fuel deal $1B+ gift to Israel at $3.09/gallon during wartime
Steve Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (04.28.13)
“The Government of Israel has requested a possible sale of 864,000,000 gallons of petroleum based products consisting of JP-8 aviation fuel, diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline… The estimated cost is $2.67 billion,” USAF paid $3.93 per gallon in 2012 for JP-8, and $3.73 in 2013 (estimate). See..."The Air Force’s Fuel Problem"
5. Beggars can't be choosy.
Persian CAT   (04.28.13)
I lost count of how many times the author mentioned an Israeli "attack" against Iran. This author will take his war mongering wishes to his grave without seeing Israel attacking Iran! Israel would have attacked Iran ten times by now, IF IT COULD. The reality is IT CAN'T! Israel as the recipient of billions of dollars of the US tax payers money has no say in what it will "buy" or not from the US. Israel's voice does not count in such matters in spite of the congressional support it receives in exchange for contributions. Regarding the Saudis or other Persian Gulf Arabs receiving advanced weapons, rest assured those Arabs have no capabilities to operate those weapons by themselves. In addition those weapons are only shells of the models operated by the US. So what's the problem, effendi?
6. The real business of war is business.
BUILD BABY BUILD!!!! ,   United States   (04.28.13)
I wonder if the day will ever come when Israel manufactures and sell arms as readily as does America, Russia, N. Korea, China, Iran, etc. etc.? That's the chain that binds Israel to a harsh task master, obama's administration is 'bending over' to please his saudi king. Only obama bows to a foreign potentate, and, a deadly one at that. Pretty much says it all.
7. 1
anton ,   istanbul   (04.28.13)
feeding implicates charity and charity means free of charge Usa have gotten money in exchnage for arm deals do you know what this means? :) israel is one of few countries uncle sam handsout or feeds with weapon and funds free of charge, im not saying israel never pays they do sometimes just to make sure avarage joe in america wouldnt think he is being cheated :)
8. This is called logic Israel style.
Psy   (04.28.13)
9. A bogus arms deal
Philippe ,   Raanana   (04.28.13)
2016 is far too long for receiving those arms , while Iran nuclear race will reach its finish line by July.Israel will act alone, maybe the saudi airspace will be open the KC135, but there is no bogus deal like this one wich can make us renounce our objective:to neutralize Iran nukes before they reach the no return point
10. Remember the Lavi ?
Joël ,   Paris, France   (04.28.13)
I am afraid you are right, old tankers, mostly defensive weapons like the anti missileswich are far from a solution. Once Israël had a brillant and independant military industry as well as very effective military doctrines. Time to take the matter seriously and go back to the basics.
11. #5 is that what your leaders tell you?
American ,   USA   (04.29.13)
Please do more research ... Oh, I forgot you can't access the facts. How many potential candidates were killed before elections? Does that bother you? It seems as if they are afraid to let a real election take place. Why?
12. America recently admitted that Iran poses no
Miron ,   USA   (04.28.13)
material threat to America. And thusly more explanation is warranted as to what is the intent of this weapon endowment program. This - "deal, which may have other aspects to it that have yet to be revealed." - will not do. And this: "provide extensive work for aviation and weapons plants in the US – plants which were supposed to be hit hard by the substantial cuts in the Pentagon's budget" - is a pure incompetence. There are no budget cuts in military production. The sequester only affected non - essential work, such asstudy courses, perks. With time off to study still fully funded, you will still have all same perks. It's the instructions and the whole industry of printing manuals and such, that is cut. In other words you won't have the cheering man. And than, not because we want your cheering man off the field. Because we want the money for this cheering man to go pay for a doctor for healthcare. Now, where did that funding go, Mister and Missirs "tell yall"? It's not like we don't have legislation that mandates every American to pay a new whooping 12c on every dollar earned tax. Ahh... that was something that got cut from the picture as in "sadden memory cut". America us as funded as ever. Last week oil went up on our economic growth. So, the next time you speak of funding issues, at least try to keep article up to date. Otherwise it smacks of printing something your editor kept under the table for a few months from times when economy looked very different.
13. Many unanswered questions
Get Real ,   UK   (04.28.13)
Would S.Arabia and UAE militarily assist US attack on Syria and Iran? Maybe V22 for Israel to use in Syria? No weapons for Jordan?
14. Israel's Weapons are a Joke
Noah Lev ,   LosAngelesUSA   (04.29.13)
Only Iron dome and Davids Sling have been made ready for Israeli use against incoming missiles.The Eagles wont be delivered for years, if ever. Israel's miitary lacks offensive capabilities big time..( depends on Turkey compliance)except for one item, its 500 nukes, minaturized for hitting Iranian bases, Rev Guards, and weapons areas, also factories. In the likelihooed of an Iran major strike, perhaps to retaliate for Israel/USA hitting a few nuke plants.. Israel should use these weapons once and for all. The Samson Option is alive and kicking...and woe to Ahmad and his thugs, now suporting Assad and elements in Iraq. Its time to pluck their feathers an remove their scales..once and for all. this is themessage Netanyahu must give and stop being so timid..looking over his shoulder for approval by the worlds forums...They dont care about Jewish lives guy.
15. 5
(04.29.13)
i would suggest, dummy, that you do not count your chickens before they hatch. israel may surprise you indeed one day. do not go crying to the un, though.
16. 4
(04.29.13)
that's the deal buddy and israel pays ror every penny of this cost. all arab countries america supplies ado not pay back a cent. israel does. go complain to them.
17. 7 moron
(04.29.13)
israel pays all the time. do you? noticing you are on the computer most days during day light, one wonders in you even hold a job. in istanbul, maybe not! bet you're one of those living on charity and turkish state funds like stamps and unemployment. what a success you are, turk.
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