Alright. I admit it. I probably sound like Dick Cheney on the verge of the Iraq invasion with the amount of war foreshadowing that I’ve referenced repeatedly in recent posts. But, that won’t stop me. I write what I see.
Both Iran and Israel are stocking their arsenals to prepare for a head-on collision, with both sides flexing their military muscles and warning their enemy that any assault or attack will be met with the deadliest of force.
Let’s start with Israel. The Iron Dome defense system is well on its way to thwarting enemy rockets launched into the country from Gaza, Lebanon or Syria. The United States, with President Barack Obama’s approval, agreed to provide Israel with $205 million to purchase several new Iron Dome units. That technology greatly improves Israel’s ability to intercept incoming rockets, an issue that is particularly apt because Iran would likely use Hezbollah other terrorist groups as surrogates to attack Israel. Those organizations could launch hundreds of rockets into Israel, which this technology would help intercept. The ability of Hezbollah to cause massive destruction should not be overlooked. The terror group created significant destruction in northern Israel during the Second Lebanon War, causing many citizens living in the north to seek refuge in Tel Aviv and its suburbs.
Iron Dome completed very successful tests earlier this year, which spurred the White House’s interests and helped assuage concerns that the technology will not be effective. The United States and Israel have also collaborated on other technologies, notably the Chetz, or Arrow, anti-ballistic missile rocket. This technology would help shoot down any incoming nuclear missiles and has been jointly developed by the two countries and largely viewed as one of the most effective deterrence tools in Israel’s arsenal.
Further, Israel received a new stock of bunker buster bombs from the United States. Those weapons fall in a number of different categories, with some capable of destroying smuggling tunnels in Gaza or Lebanon, and others giving Israel the ability to demolish underground facilities, such as Iranian nuclear sites or Hezbollah compounds.
And who said the Israel-U.S. relationship was on the fritz.
On to Iran. That regime has test fired different missiles and showed the world its capabilities, while simultaneously and clandestinely developing its nuclear weapons program. Most recently, Iran test fired a set of missiles similar to the type of rockets also supplied to Hezbollah. It’s no coincidence that both Iran and the terror group are using the same munitions, and test firing the rocket illustrates the point that Iran can strike Israel using its proxies.
Iran is becoming closer to developing nuclear weapons every day and Israel will not sit idly by as its enemy secures a tool to commit genocide. Navies have already been mobilized and war drills have occurred in recent months. Both Iran and Israel are stockpiling weapons and showing their foe that they can fight, and fight hard.
The question remains — who will cast the first stone (err rocket) and how long will either country wait before launching an attack. With Iran on the verge of obtaining nuclear capabilities, it appears that Israel may be forced to attempt and thwart the development of those weapons. On the other hand, increased tension on Israel’s northern border with Hezbollah could cause the terror group to launch a small-scale offensive, such as a kidnapping, which would give Israel some immediate impetus to respond with immense force.
I’m not warmongering, but the writing is on the wall.