Thursday, March 29, 2012

Azeris Strengthen Israel’s Hand on Iran � Commentary Magazine

Azeris Strengthen Israel’s Hand on Iran � Commentary Magazine: The potential for an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities may be a lot greater than skeptics may have thought. That’s the upshot of a story published yesterday in Foreign Policy that alleges Azerbaijan has granted the Israelis access to airbases in that country. If true, Israel’s ability to launch a strike from bases on Iran’s northern border would make the Jewish state’s military challenge in seeking to knock out Iran’s nuclear plants a lot simpler. The assistance of the Azeris would enable the Israelis to make repeated attacks and would eliminate the need to refuel their planes in midair in order to make the long flight from Israel to Iran.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Global March for Jerusalem | The Weekly Standard

The Global March for Jerusalem | The Weekly Standard: Now, after two by sea, there will be one by land. The Global March to Jerusalem, slated for March 30 (Land Day for the Palestinians), is a coordinated attempt to breach Israel’s borders from surrounding Arab states—Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Participants are planning to arrive from around the globe –Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and even America. Their goal is to ensure that as many as one million people overwhelm Israeli border security and march to Jerusalem, where they will assert Muslim rights to the holy city.

But will this march result in bloodshed, like the first flotilla, or red tape, like the second?

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Secrets of the World-Record-Setting Paper Plane - John Collins, Paper Airplane Guy - Popular Mechanics

The Secrets of the World-Record-Setting Paper Plane - John Collins, Paper Airplane Guy - Popular Mechanics: This week a viral video spread across the Web (see below) featuring former Cal quarterback Joe Ayoob throwing a paper airplane across an entire warehouse, breaking the world record for longest flight with a distance of 226 feet, 10 inches. The man behind the plane is John Collins, the self-described “Paper Airplane Guy.” Here, he tells PM the secrets of his design.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Iron Dome Foils 90 Percent of Missiles - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News

Iron Dome Foils 90 Percent of Missiles - Defense/Security - News - Israel National News: The Iron Dome system has intercepted 90 percent of missile attacks on urban centers during the latest rocket bombardment from Gaza.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Israel’s New Bunker Buster Missile � Commentary Magazine

Israel’s New Bunker Buster Missile � Commentary Magazine: The U.S. military or its contractors long ago released videos of bunker buster bombs. While the Israeli military has requested advanced bunker buster bombs from the United States, the Israelis have also been manufacturing its own technology. They recently released this impressive video depicting a new concrete-busting missile which would presumably obviate the need for aircraft to fly over certain targets.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last week said “actions speak louder than words.” That may not be the maxim of Western diplomats who prefer to kick the can down the road, but it seems the Supreme Leader’s words might ring true with the Israelis, who now signal the road has run out. If I were an Iranian nuclear scientist, I’d take out life insurance now.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

US offered Israel advanced weaponry in exchange for delaying Iran attack: report - NYPOST.com

US offered Israel advanced weaponry in exchange for delaying Iran attack: report - NYPOST.com: The US offered to give Israel advanced weaponry -- including bunker-busting bombs and refueling planes -- in exchange for Israel's agreement not to attack Iranian nuclear sites, Israeli newspaper Maariv reported Thursday.

President Obama reportedly made the offer during Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington this week.

Under the proposed deal, Israel would not attack Iran until 2013, after US elections in November this year. The newspaper cited unnamed Western diplomatic and intelligence sources.