Inside the Octopus: Unraveling Iran’s terrorist Quds Force
This was not how the Quds Force, the elite division of the elite Revolutionary Guards Corps responsible for overseas operations, envisioned celebrating its third decade of existence. The string of attempted attacks last month which targeted Israelis in India, Thailand and Georgia exacted a greater cost than it derived benefit, but it also signaled to Israel and the world that the Iranian threat is not limited to missiles. The threat is everywhere.
The Dispute over Iranian Intentions
The meaning of what they were saying, he warned, “was pretty clear.”
Abbas’ Temple Denial
These rights were well known to the generation of Abba Eban and Chaim Herzog, but unfortunately they have been forgotten in the recent past – at a time when they have become more relevant for the defense of Israel than ever.
Can Sanctions Stop Iran?
In the months ahead, Iran is likely to test the extent of the West’s commitment to the sanctions it is now proposing.
Russia, China Let Syrians Bleed
For Israel, the ineffectiveness of the U.N. Security Council in the Syrian crisis has underscored the continuing relevance of the political traditions established by Israel’s founders, especially the idea that its security must be based on its ability to defend itself by itself, and not on any international guarantees through bodies like the U.N.
Running Out of Excuses
For the negotiations in Jordan to have any chance, the Palestinians will have to engage their Israeli counterparts seriously and consider new ideas rather than just recite new excuses for abandoning talks.
Can Iran Close the Strait of Hormuz?
But both sides are building up their capabilities for the future should a naval conflict break out.
‘Israel doesn’t have to face Iran on its own,’ says French envoy
Earlier this week, the EU voted to impose an unprecedented embargo on Iranian oil. This was not an easy task. For Greece and Spain, this marked a significant concession. France was one of the countries that worked tirelessly to win the agreement of the 27 EU partners. In recent years, France has been among the leaders in pushing a militant stance against the Iranian nuclear program. Still, sanctions are one thing, but talk of military action is another.
The Risk of Talking to Terrorists
But these are unlikely to be the conditions for talks with the Taliban, which will heavily influence their chances of success.
Assad’s Alawi Allies
They also could explain why Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz told the Knesset Foreign and Defense Committee this week that Israel must prepare for a wave of Alawi refugees who might seek refuge in Israel as the conflict continues in Syria.
US arms in Arab hands
Last week, the Obama administration announced a series of massive arms sales to Arab states. There was a $29.4 billion dollar package for Saudi Arabia that includes 84 F-15 fighter jets, as well as modernization of 70 existing aircrafts. It will include the latest generation air-to air missiles and precision-guided air-to-ground missiles that operate under all weather conditions, day or night. Elements of this package already emerged last year in a $60.5 billion sale that was announced in October 2010.
Is Iran Rational?
It would be an error to just assume that they will adopt the deterrence doctrines of the West should they cross the nuclear threshold.
Goodbye Iraq. Hello Iran
The new situation emerging as a result makes the strategic logic of Israel retaining the Jordan Valley as its forward line of defense even more compelling, just as leading voices in the international community are unfortunately pressuring it to fully withdraw from the West Bank and accept the 1967 lines.
For long-range ops, IDF creates new Special Forces Command
The Israel Defense Forces is establishing a new “Depth Corps Force” to coordinate and execute multidisciplinary missions far from Israel’s borders, Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz announced on Thursday.
“The primary task of the Corps will be to extend joint IDF operations into the strategic depth,” the army said in a statement.
Obama’s Covert Cover?
Now, by debating with itself, the West may be providing Iran with the precious time it needs to further advance toward its goal of producing nuclear weapons.
