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Missile Countermeasures: North Korea's Threat, Israel's Experience
(UPI) Michael J. Armstrong - Israel is a leader in missile countermeasures because of its neighbors. It has experienced rocket fire for more than a decade from Hamas in Gaza and Hizbullah in Lebanon. The country hasn't forgotten Iraq's 1991 Scud missile strikes. It also worries about future attacks from Syria and Iran. Israel has consequently developed a set of countermeasures that provide it with a layered defense. Iron Dome intercepts short-range rockets, David's Sling handles medium-range missiles and Arrow targets long-range missiles. Arrow claimed its first interception this year, while Iron Dome has engaged hundreds of rockets since 2011. The writer is an associate professor of operations research at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.