The U.S. and Israel are getting set to conduct their largest joint-military drill in their history, the U.S. Department of State’s Assistant for Political & Security Affairs, Andrew Schubert, announced on Sunday.Schubert said in a speech before The Washington Institute for Far East Policy, that 5,000 Israeli and U.S. soldiers would participate in the manoeuvres in which they would test their defence capabilities against Ballistic missiles. This confirms that such joint operations provide US soldiers with valuable training, drawn from Israeli’s own experience in the fields of anti-terrorism and fighting in built-up areas.
“The Israeli military defence technology is very effective for the U.S. Home Land Security, and in defending U.S. troops,” added Schubert, pointing out that “Israeli armour technology and modern dressing, developed by Israel, have helped in saving many U.S. soldiers so far.”
“The Obama Administration supports Israel,” he said, adding that “Our affairs with Israel is wider and deeper, and even stronger than ever.” He seemed to be assuring that Israeli military superiority is on the top of the President’s agenda, and on the mind of the Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, as well.
He further stated that the U.S. Congress would approve to place business deals of small weapons between the two countries, reiterating Washington’s commitment to continuing its military assistance for Israel with an annual value of four billion US$. He assured that the US assistance for Israel is because the latter protects U.S. military interests.
He also pointed to the report recently issued by the institute, titled with: Israel is a strategic asset for the United States. The article claims that if Israel becomes weak, then its enemy’s power would rise, and a weak Israel would increase the risk of a major confrontation in the region. That, therefore, would cause destructive consequences for the U.S. interests in the Middle East.
The report adds that the Israeli military power is considered a deterrent factor, to whoever intends to attack its interests. This power, nevertheless, helps to push stability and peace in the region.
Last week, Israeli jets conducted joint drills at Italian NATO military base, along with German and Italian warplanes.
