(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Maj.-Gen. (res.) Sami Turjeman - Israel's security concerns in Sinai should focus on two main goals: restoring demilitarization of the territory by defeating the Islamic State-Sinai Province (ISSP), and maintaining Israel's "qualitative military edge" (QME) over neighboring countries. Once ISSP is defeated, Israel should demand that Cairo reduce its Sinai deployment to a level approximating what is stipulated in the Camp David Accords. Cairo has been acquiring advanced weaponry and not just from the U.S. It has purchased 50 MiG-29M/M2 fighter jets, 50 Ka-52 combat helicopters, and multiple S-300VM air-defense systems from Russia, along with 4 Gowind 2500 warships and 24 Rafale fighters from France. Moreover, U.S. arms deals with other countries in the Middle East have reached massive proportions. Whatever the wider geostrategic purpose of such sales, they threaten Israel's QME. The writer was former head of the IDF Southern Command.
2018-04-24 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive