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Saudi Drones Could Threaten Israel

(Washington Post) David Ignatius - A year ago, Saudi Arabia was fighting a nasty border war against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Saudis began bombing Houthi targets inside Yemen on Nov. 5, 2009, but the airstrikes were inaccurate, and there were reports of civilian casualties. The Saudis appealed to America for imagery from U.S. surveillance satellites so they could target more precisely, but it was opposed by the State Department. So the Saudis turned to France, which has its own reconnaissance satellites. Using precise satellite intelligence, the Saudis were able to monitor the Houthis' hideouts, equipment dumps and training sites, and then attack with devastating effectiveness. Within a few weeks, the Houthis were requesting a truce. The Saudis now want their own satellite capability, and they will soon request bids from Western companies for such a system. Riyadh also wants drones that can see and attack enemy targets in remote places. Washington has been weighing whether to include versions of its Predator drones in an arms sale to the kingdom. Such weapons would boost Saudi ability to deter Iran, but they could also threaten Israel.
2010-11-12 08:27:45
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