In 2008, the United States approved an Israeli request for bunker-busters capable of destroying underground facilities, including Iranian nuclear weapons sites. Officials said delivery of the weapons was held up by the administration of President Barack Obama.No shiny bunker busters to hit Iran with for you, Israel. Maybe now somebody over there in Tel Aviv will remember who is in charge of this little partnership. Hint: it's not Israel, not matter what the Israelis think
Since taking office, Obama has refused to approve any major Israeli requests for U.S. weapons platforms or advanced systems. Officials said this included proposed Israeli procurement of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, refueling systems, advanced munitions and data on a stealth variant of the F-15E.
"All signs indicate that this will continue in 2010," a congressional source familiar with the Israeli military requests said. "This is really an embargo, but nobody talks about it publicly."
Under the plan, the U.S. military was to have stored 195 BLU-110 and 192 BLU-117 munitions in unspecified air force bases in Israel. The U.S. military uses four Israeli bases for the storage of about $400 million worth of pre-positioned equipment meant for use by either Washington or Jerusalem in any regional war.
In January 2010, the administration agreed to an Israeli request to double the amount of U.S. military stockpiles to $800 million. Officials said the bunker-busters as well as Patriot missile interceptors were included in the agreement.
The decision to divert the BLU munitions was taken amid the crisis between Israel and the United States over planned construction of Jewish homes in Jerusalem. The administration, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has warned that Washington could reduce military aid to Israel because of its construction policy.
In all seriousness, it's good for Obama to send the message. The Netanyahu was frankly completely ignoring Obama's requests to stop with the settlements in East Jerusalem, and it was getting embarrassing. Good to see Obama stand up for himself.
Honestly, what's going to happen to him domestically? The Republicans already think he's a Marxist socialist tyrant Muslim anyway. What is the GOP going to do, refuse to support his agenda in any way? Block his executive branch and judicial branch nominees? Berate him in fiery speeches on the floor of Congress? Target him personally in 2010 campaign ads? Play the race card? They're doing all that now.
Where do they go from here, seriously? Throwing eggs at the Oval Office windows? Pin a "Kick Me" sign on Bo, the First Dog? Throw water balloons at Michelle Obama?
Obama's looking pretty damn good right now, and frankly, the GOP has bigger issues to worry about.
Eh I agree we needed to do something to Israel to at least get them to talk with us. I think starting to break ground on new settlements the day Biden showed up was flipping the bird to him before they even sat down.
ReplyDeleteNow I also don't believe you're generalized statements about the GOP are true. You defend him because you guys both have a dark complexion and need to really start looking more at his character than his skin.
Someone who says "I don't spend a lot of time worrying about what the procedural rules are in the House or the Senate." either misspoke entirely or really doesn't care about what his job really is and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. What oath did he take when he was sworn in?
Oh yeah,
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
I guess ignoring his responsibilities is a part of this whole hope and change thing.