The Age of Israeli Air Domination: What’s Behind the Latest American Generosity?

Despite the differing views between Israel and the U.S. on many of their policies, the most important strategic objective for the U.S. in the region is to maintain Israel’s superiority — militarily, economically, and technologically.

All U.S. administrations since 1956, whether Democratic or Republican, have worked to fulfill that objective and to prevent other countries in the region, individually or collectively, from overtaking Israel, regardless of the country’s military relations, political relations or level of alliance with the U.S.

For decades, America didn’t hold back in meeting any of Israel’s military demands, but instead opened their coffers to fund military deals, in addition to the estimated $3 billion annual military aid that the U.S. is committed to providing until 2013.

When Turkey cancelled annual exercises with Israel in protest of Israel’s attack on Gaza, its blockade, and the continuation of settlements, the United States carried out joint naval exercises with Israel, considered to be the largest in the history of military relations between the two countries. The joint exercises took place in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and even the Arab Gulf, and included testing of submarines carrying long-range missiles, air operations from an aircraft carrier, and deployment of ground operations.

That was in preparation for the signing of the agreement between Israel and NATO that allows for Israeli participation with NATO naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea. The joint naval operations monitor the Lebanese coast to prevent the delivery of supplies to Hezbollah and watch Gaza’s coasts to tighten the blockade further, preventing any arms smuggling operations from the Mediterranean or the Red Sea. Activities also include surveillance of the Syrian and Egyptian coasts, particularly at El-Arish in Egypt, and reaching as far as the Arab Gulf to keep an eye on the Iranian coasts.

Thus, Israel succeeded in turning itself into the maritime police in the region, and through the legitimacy and protection of NATO forces, is pursuing a blockade policy on multiple coasts.

According to U.S. newspaper reports, America provided Israel with a digital military device that was used in test exercises conducted last week in northern Israel. The device provided intelligence and served as command headquarters providing the status of combat operations directly from the battlefield via large screens, thus allowing headquarters to direct combat operations in a more efficient and precise manner.

Following lengthy and complex negotiations, Israel and the United States signed a military agreement during Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington. The agreement, which was kept under wraps by both parties due to the significant threat it poses to Iran and other countries in the region, has the potential to produce a major shift in the balance of regional powers.

This agreement, expected to be signed in March of 2010, states that the U.S. will provide Israel with 75 F-35 aircraft, 25 at a time, every three years. This aircraft, the most prominent fifth-generation stealth fighter, is known for its major combat characteristics and capability to achieve a set of objectives, the most important being its ability to reach its targets without radar detection, even from more advanced detection systems. They also have a tremendous ability to destroy ground targets due to their large complement of missiles, as well as the capability for aerial engagement while providing support to ground forces.

Israel’s access to these aircraft will enable it, according to military analysts at the Pentagon, to penetrate Iranian defense systems and strike Iranian nuclear installations, even if Iran acquires the Russian S-300 [surface-to-air] missiles, because of its ability to escape radar detection. However, it does not have the ability to counter the S-500 missiles that will enter service in the Russian Army by 2011. Russia is not expected to sell these missiles to any foreign country.

America is committed to providing financial assistance to cover the cost of this transaction, estimated at $15 billion, as part of the U.S.’s military aid to Israel. The impending Israeli access to these aircraft will aid Israel in its domination of the Arab and regional spheres while causing a major military and political shift with Iran, Turkey, Syria, Hezbollah, Egypt, and others, in terms of regional power.

In the same context, the Department of Defense informed the U.S. Congress of its intent to sell Israel one thousand GBU-39 smart bombs, which are capable of penetrating reinforced concrete up to two meters [about seven feet] thick. Israel is expected to use these weapons in any potential war with Lebanon, Hamas, or Iran. Israel is attempting to obtain GBU-28 bombs capable of penetrating [reinforced concrete] six to 10 meters [about 20–33 feet] thick, but the U.S. is hesitating in providing Israel with these.

In the context of a possible confrontation with Iran, Netanyahu was able to convince President Obama of the Iranian danger to Israeli security. As a result, the United States installed the latest American radar equipment in one of the military bases in Beersheba in the Negev desert. A team of U.S. experts set up and activated the radar equipment. The radar system, known as AN/TPY-2, is capable of detecting missiles 2000 km [about 1,243 miles] before reaching their target, which allows the Israeli air defense between 60 and 90 seconds to intercept incoming missiles.

The agreement stipulated that American forces alone will be in command of this radar equipment, given the advanced technology that is only available within U.S. forces and offset by a similar system owned only by Russia. This radar system is capable of tracking ballistic missiles, despite the missiles’ dodging and evading capabilities.

Israel dominated airspace during all of its wars with the Arabs and is monitoring every small detail, even in Pakistan, through satellite and advanced technology that it both possesses and manufactures. With Israel’s acquisition of the American stealth aircraft, the Arab world and neighboring countries will fall under the domination of the American-Israeli ghost.