To the north, radical Islamists in Syria linked to both the Islamic State and al-Qaeda are approaching Israel’s border on the Golan Heights and threatening Jordan as well. At the same time, Iran is sending thousands of rockets with increasingly accurate guidance systems to Hizbullah in Lebanon to again attack Israeli cities.
To the east, Israel faces an array of potential threats from hostile forces that include Iranian Revolutionary Guards, pro-Iranian Shi’ite militias, and radical Islamist terror armies.
To the south, the Islamic State is in Sinai, threatening both Israel and Egypt. At the same time, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza are working feverishly, with Iranian assistance, to rebuild their rocket capabilities to enable renewed attacks on Israel.
Israel must have defensible borders to protect itself against a broad range of current and future threats from radical Islamist forces."
A compelling video from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, in which that doughty student of war and defender of Israel Colonel Richard Kemp features, inter alia:
How did they ever let this on the BBC, a positive presentation of Israel!
ReplyDeleteThe Israel bit starts at 27:20
My Mediterranean with Adrian Chiles - BBC Documentary 2016
Thanks, Ian, will check. Every so often the BBC surprises. Perhaps this was independent of the newsroom.
DeleteThe JCPA video shows very clearly the strategically important, unique geography of the area.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking from recent personal experience, this geography is nearly impossible to appreciate until one actually stands in the Jordan Valley or on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and looks up at the heights towering above.
The drive from the valley at the Jericho Junction to Jerusalem, one of the five defensible routes mentioned, only takes 15 minutes.
Interesting comment, Borhani. Thanks.
ReplyDelete