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The Hill
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
How Israel evolved from the Middle East's David to its Goliath
Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has embraced the David and Goliath story as a defining myth, portraying itself as a tiny nation triumphing despite overwhelming odds against a powerful coalition of Arab states. While that claim had considerable truth for the first few decades of the country's existence, it has long since ceased to accurately describe the balance of power in the Middle East. Israel's attack on Iran reveals its ability to hit any of its regional adversaries with overwhelming force, even without direct U.S. assistance. When Israel was established, it did not look like the country would survive, let alone become a major power. No sooner did it declare independence than a coalition of five Arab states attacked it, determined to 'throw the Jews into the sea.' Tenacious defense combined with the failure of the invaders to coordinate their attacks saved the newborn state from being strangled in the cradle. Over the next decade, the Israel Defense Forces became a formidable military, but they were still outmatched by the combined strength of the surrounding states. Only with the help of France and Britain could Israel occupy the Sinai in 1956, and even then, the United States forced it to withdraw during the Suez Crisis. Then came the 1967 Six-Day War. To the shock of most observers, the IDF drove the Egyptians from Sinai, captured the Golan from Syria, and took the West Bank from Jordan. Israel now seemed to be the dominant player in the region, but victory bred complacency. On Yom Kippur 1973, an Egyptian Army rebuilt with Soviet aid broke through Israeli defenses along the Suez Canal while Syrian troops overran the lightly defended Golan. With its forces running low on munitions, the IDF was in serious trouble, but President Richard Nixon saved the day with a massive influx of military aid that allowed the Israelis to recoup the situation. The Yom Kippur War marked the last time Israel faced an existential threat from an Arab coalition. Over the ensuing decades, Israel emerged as the preeminent military power in the Middle East. Its transition from beleaguered state to regional hegemon depended on three factors. First, Israel acquired nuclear weapons, probably beginning in 1966-67. Although it will not confirm their existence, the IDF today is believed to have 90 nuclear warheads. With its Jericho ballistic missiles, F-15 and F-35 aircraft (supplied by the United States), and Dolphin II submarines, Israel can hit targets anywhere in the Middle East. That reality serves as a powerful deterrent for anyone contemplating attacking it, since no other nation in the region has nuclear weapons. The second factor contributing to Israel's rise to military hegemony was its systematic dismantling of the Arab alliance against it. It reached a peace accord with Egypt in 1979. In 1988, Jordan renounced its claim to the West Bank and signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994. These agreements eliminated the threat of another war with an Arab coalition. They also made it easier for Israel to plant settlements in the occupied territories captured during the Six-Day War. U.S. support was the third factor contributing to Israel's rise to regional dominance. For the first decade and a half of Israel's existence, the U.S. provided it virtually no military and very little economic aid. Following the Six-Day War and especially after the Yom Kippur War, however, military aid in the form of grants and loans increased dramatically, averaging $3-4 billion annually and spiking to $17.9 billion during the year following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Since 1948, U.S. aid to Israel has totaled $130 billion ($310 billion adjusted for inflation). The IDF has received some of the U.S. military's most advanced equipment, including the F-35 joint-strike fighter, giving it a decisive qualitative edge over any potential adversary. The ease with which it penetrates Iranian air defenses reveals its technological superiority. U.S. support for Israel has had many positive effects, but also some negative consequences. It has given the country a formidable war machine capable of resisting attacks by any state or alliance in the Middle East. It has also contributed to regional stability. Nixon's intervention may have saved Israel in 1973. Jimmy Carter made the Camp David Accords that led to the peace treaty with Egypt possible, and Bill Clinton facilitated the accord with Jordan. However, the same aid has relieved Israel of the 'guns vs. butter' debate over how much to spend on defense and how much on domestic services. Because of U.S. subsidies, Israelis can have both a large military and generous social welfare benefits, including universal healthcare and heavily subsidized college tuition, approximately $3,000 per year for public institutions, benefits Americans do not enjoy. U.S. aid has also emboldened Israel to defy international law by appropriating territory in the West Bank and the Golan. Gaza may be next. The U.S. should continue to guarantee Israel's right to exist, but that guarantee need not mean writing the country an annual blank check. Providing Israel with defensive weapons only and perhaps even signing a defense treaty with it should, along with its nuclear deterrent, prevent any state from threatening it. U.S. aid should also be contingent on progress toward a resolution of the Palestinian problem, which creates instability throughout the region. The war in Gaza, the attack on Lebanon and the current Iranian conflict stem from that problem. Until it is solved, lasting peace will never be achieved. Israel and its neighbors will live in a state of perpetual tension punctuated by periodic outbursts of violence. As it stands, Israel has two options. It could forcibly expel the entire Palestinian population of the West Bank and Gaza, which hardly seems possible since no other country will take them. Or it can reach a two-state solution, which seems like the only viable means of achieving lasting peace. As it has done in the past, the United States could play a major role in that peace process. Tom Mockaitis is a professor of history at DePaul University and the author of 'Conventional and Unconventional War: A History of Modern Conflict.'
Egypt Independent
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Iran's attack on Tel Aviv is unprecedented since 1948: Former Egyptian General
Strategic expert and the former head of the Egyptian Army's Moral Affairs Department, Samir Farag, stated that the bombardment Tel Aviv endured yesterday was unprecedented in Israel's history since 1948. In televised remarks, Farag stated, 'Netanyahu slept in the shelter, and it has never happened in Israel's history that millions of people took refuge in shelters. The number of damaged buildings and towers is also unprecedented in Israel's history.' Several of the most prestigious areas in Tel Aviv faced a direct bombardment of this magnitude for the first time since 1948, emphasizing that Iran exploited its superiority in manufacturing hypersonic missiles. Farag asserted that Israel side misjudged Iran's military capabilities, pointing to Iran's superiority as a military power, ranking 14th globally, whereas Israel ranks 17th. The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel continues for a third day. Iran launched strikes with tactical guided ballistic missiles early Sunday morning, targeting central Israel, while Israel announced the completion of its attacks inside Iran. Amidst the broader Iranian missile wave on Israel on Sunday, thousands of Israelis were forced to take shelter in underground parking garages. The Israeli Home Front Command estimated that 40 percent of homes in Israel lack shelters that meet the required standards for this confrontation. Earlier on Sunday, the Tel Aviv municipality announced that several buildings are at risk of collapse after being hit in the Iranian missile attack.
See - Sada Elbalad
26-03-2025
- Health
- See - Sada Elbalad
Turkey, Egypt Collaborate on Gaza Aid Initiative
By Ahmad El-Assasy Turkey is diligently preparing its humanitarian aid in the Egyptian city of El-Arish, anticipating the resumption of assistance entry into Gaza, highlighted during a recent visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Cairo, Salih Mutlu Şen. Ambassador Şen inspected preparations at Sheikh Zuweid Hospital and the El-Arish port, demonstrating Turkey's commitment to aiding Gaza's recovery and reconstruction. In a Ramadan iftar speech at the National Exhibition Hall in the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Turkey had mobilized all its resources to stop bloodshed and had sent approximately 100,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This announcement underlines Turkey's ongoing commitment to Gaza amidst recent conflicts. Ambassador Şen's visit to El-Arish, a key logistical base for aid efforts, included inspecting Turkish relief materials and meeting with port authorities and local hospital staff. The Sheikh Zuweid Hospital, located close to the Rafah border, plays a critical role in treating patients from Gaza, equipped with top-notch facilities for kidney dialysis among other services. Ambassador Şen distributed Eid gifts and expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery to the Egyptian patients undergoing treatment at the hospital's dialysis center. He emphasized the importance of kidney dialysis and transplantation, given his personal connections to kidney disease, thus supporting the Turkish Organ Transplant Foundation's close cooperation with Egypt. In discussions with Sheikh Zuweid Hospital's chief physician, the ambassador learned about the services provided to Gaza's patients and inspected a field hospital established by the Egyptian Army with financial contributions from Turkey, dedicated solely to Gaza's patients. Moreover, Ambassador Şen reviewed other medical and logistical supplies, including generators and ambulances, stored in regional warehouses ready to be dispatched to Gaza. He expressed gratitude to the North Sinai Governorate, the Egyptian Red Crescent, and the El-Arish port authorities for their support. During his visit, Ambassador Şen was accompanied by officials from Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and the Turkish Red Crescent, signifying a robust Turkish-Egyptian collaboration in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) News Ireland Replaces Former Israeli Embassy with Palestinian Museum News Israeli PM Diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer Lifestyle Maguy Farah Reveals 2025 Expectations for Pisces News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Egypt Today
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Military spox defends Egypt's arms deals, diversification of sources: 'Current battle is one of existence'
A file photo of a batch of Rafale fighter jets that Egypt received from France – Egyptian Army spox CAIRO – 19 March 2025: Armed Forces' Spokesman Gharib Abdel Hafez has defended Egypt's arms deals and the establishment of military bases over the past years, saying 'we have recognized the threats looming on the horizon.' In an interview with the country's official news agency MENA, Abdel Hafez emphasized that the Egyptian state has been acutely aware of such unfolding situation, which is why the Armed Forces have focused on enhancing their capabilities and weaponry systems over the past ten years. 'We faced significant criticism regarding arms deals and the establishment of military bases in previous periods, but we could recognize the threats looming on the horizon, especially after 2011,' the spokesman said. He stressed that 'recent developments have confirmed that the current battle is a battle of existence.' Abdel Hafez affirmed that the military is fully prepared to confront all challenges facing Egypt, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security. He noted an intensive activity among all Armed Forces personnel to ensure the readiness of the troops, assuring everyone that the Armed Forces are well-equipped to respond to and manage any threats and challenges. DIVERSIFYING ARMAMENT SOURCES Abdel Hafez clarified how Egypt has successfully navigated past challenges and crises, emerging stronger. He stressed that the political leadership has prioritized enhancing the capabilities of the Armed Forces based on a strategic approach that emphasizes "diversifying sources of armament." This approach ensures that the military does not rely on any single country for its weapons, he said. 'This is evident in the fact that the Egyptian air defense system is one of the most complex in the world due to its diversified sources of armament,' Abdel Hafez affirmed. UNWAVERING STANCE He noted that Egypt faces ongoing challenges across all strategic fronts, stressing that the current challenges facing the Egyptian state are unprecedented. 'The scale of hostilities is difficult for any nation to bear and without the advancements made in the Armed Forces over the past decade, we would not be standing by our own feet today.' The military spokesman noted that the political leadership is well aware of the dangers facing Egypt, implementing calculated and strategic preemptive plans. The spokesman reiterated that the political leadership's unwavering position on the Palestinian cause since 1948 emphasizes the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, to ensure the region's security and stability. Abdel Hafez also underscored the nation's rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people from their land as this would mean the eradication of the Palestinian cause. UNITY BEHIND LEADERSHIP The spokesman highlighted the importance of national unity behind the political leadership during this critical phase as the true guarantee to overcome the challenges confronting Egypt. He underscored the "weapon of awareness" that the Egyptian people currently possess in addressing present challenges.
Middle East
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Sisi attends 41st cultural seminar of Armed Forces on Martyr's Day
CAIRO, March 11 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi attended on Tuesday the 41st cultural seminar held by the Armed Forces on the Day of Martyr and Veteran Warrior. Armed Forces and police commanders, top state officials and families of police and Armed Forces martyrs attended the event at Al Manara International Conferences Center. Documentary films were screened during the seminar. President Sisi honored a number of families of martyrs and those injured in military operations. Egypt marks the Martyr's Day on March 9 in commemoration of the martyrdom of the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Army, Abdel Moneim Riad, during the 1969 war of attrition with Israel. (MORE) M N E/M O H
