General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUS to send troops to Israel
Source: CNN
The US will send an advanced anti-missile system and US troops to operate it to Israel to help bolster Israels air defenses following Irans unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on October 1, the Pentagon said Sunday.
It is not the first time the US has deployed the system, the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, to the Middle East, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said in the statement, and the system was also deployed to Israel in 2019 for an exercise. But the deployment of additional US troops to Israel is notable amid the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, and as the region braces for a potential Israeli attack on Iran that could continue to escalate hostilities.
Approximately 100 US troops are deploying to Israel to operate the THAAD battery, according to a US defense official. It is rare for US troops to deploy inside Israel, but this is a typical number of troops to operate the anti-missile defense system.
The THAAD system is specifically meant for anti-ballistic missile defense and could help Israel better defend itself against a future Iranian attack if Iran decides to respond to any Israeli strike.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/13/politics/israel-iran-antimissile-system-us-troops/index.html
Goonch
(3,794 posts)LexVegas
(6,470 posts)brush
(56,827 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)it's a totally different issue and to try to use it on this thread is disingenuous.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)Who better to operate the THAAD system than US troops?
Unlike others, I applaud the Biden Admin. decision to help defend Israel from any attack, be it the terrorist orgs. HAMAs, Hizbollah, Iran.
Cha
(303,892 posts)Why would anyone think Defending Against these Terrorists is a "thumbs down"?
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)Cha
(303,892 posts)If the USA can help with their Anti Missile System then Excellent.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)it wouldn't be helping Israel "bomb" other countries, as was claimed.
Cha
(303,892 posts)any Anti Israel Posts popped up.
Defending Against Terrorists.. Get IT!
Response to MarineCombatEngineer (Reply #3)
brush This message was self-deleted by its author.
brush
(56,827 posts)Mosby
(17,168 posts)Last edited Mon Oct 14, 2024, 01:13 PM - Edit history (1)
It's not policy or anything, it's a fucking essay.
Do you seriously think conditions have "changed drastically"?
That seems extremely hyperbolic.
Eta that general Giora Eiland years ago put together the most comprehensive, balanced, economically brilliant peace proposal of all time and it was basically ignored.
rollin74
(2,086 posts)I have no problem with this move
underpants
(185,859 posts)It could wait another month. This is a clear sign to young voters who we need badly. Maybe it will take a month.
Strategically- unless we are trying to lure Iran or whoever into a fight, everyones going to take a shot at them and we dont need dying soldiers ever but especially now.
totodeinhere
(13,237 posts)in Michigan. In a tight race like this it could lose the election for Kamala. So I think that this announcement is bad news for the Harris campaign.
DFW
(56,224 posts)If no missiles are fired at Israel, these things will never be fired, either.
They arent designed to be used on people. All they do is take out incoming missiles.
No incoming missiles=no firing of anti-missiles. It seems simple enough.
Sympthsical
(9,940 posts)Every poll of young voters has put this issue at the bottom barrel of shit they care about.
But the people on social media are loud - not representative. Twitter is not real life.
https://iop.harvard.edu/youth-poll/47th-edition-spring-2024
underpants
(185,859 posts)Sympthsical
(9,940 posts)I doubt we're going to lose, but let's say we do by some fraction of a percent. People can - and very much will - blame whatever their handy pet issue is. Sure as sunrise. Whatever you need to be the cause can be the cause. That's the magic of slim margins.
In addition, neither you nor I know how people would react if the U.S. should abandon Israel. I know I would take a dim view of it.
Do those people not count in the calculation? If so, why? Why are anti-Israel people a riskier bet than pro-Israel people? Because both exists, and right now, you can't please both.
Jmb 4 Harris-Walz
(578 posts)I dont trust the PM in Israel at all and if he really wants to help Trump get elected what better way than to accidentally have dead soldiers under the Biden/Harris Administration right before the election.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)VP Harris before the elections?
That's some CT nonsense ya got going there.
Ya know, there is a CT forum for stuff like this don't you?
Jmb 4 Harris-Walz
(578 posts)I didnt know that, so thanks for the tip. I sincerely would like to believe its not a possibility and I hope my worries are for naught!
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)but he isn't going to order the murder of US troops defending his nation against aerial assault.
That's just plain CT land.
wnylib
(23,937 posts)Last edited Mon Oct 14, 2024, 08:14 AM - Edit history (1)
there might be a US soldier killed. Not intentionally by Netanyahu, but in an attack from Hezbollah or Iran.
I am all for Israel's self-defense and for US backing of Israel, as I've posted many times on DU. But I have concerns about potential consequences of US troops being there.
I'm wondering why this decision was made. Are Israeli troops spread thinly so that they need assistance in defense? Is Biden sending a message to Iran about how serious our backing of Israel is? Is the Israeli retaliation on Iran going to be so great that they anticipate a strong, immediate response from Iran?
It's an escalation of US involvement.
Response to underpants (Reply #5)
Post removed
cilla4progress
(25,551 posts)why now
brush
(56,827 posts)Priourities pls. Ukraine needs that kind of help.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)neighboring countries, it's a defensive system only, not offensive, it's to intercept incoming missiles and destroy them, so how the hell is that helping Israel bomb other countries?
BTW, Ukraine is getting that type of help, there are several batteries of Patriot systems and I'm pretty sure that if asked, the Biden Admin. would supply the THAAD to Ukraine.
brush
(56,827 posts)Putin is sending drones, planes and rockets into Ukraine at will but we won't allow Ukriane weapons to respond in kind.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)I mentioned that there are batteries of Patriot systems in Ukraine right now that are doing a great job intercepting incoming Russian missiles and drones.
I'm pretty sure that if Pres. Zelensky requested the THAAD system, the Biden Admin. would approve it.
Again, how is deploying the THAAD to Israel helping to bomb other countries?
Response to MarineCombatEngineer (Reply #15)
brush This message was self-deleted by its author.
Jmb 4 Harris-Walz
(578 posts)Biden is worried that if he allows Ukraine to use American weapons in offensive shots in or near Moscow (because yes they already have them, but Biden hasnt approved this type of use) Putin will take it as an act of war from the USA against them and he doesnt want to start anything right now. Perhaps things will be different after the election. I have no idea.
brush
(56,827 posts)I agree it's a different situation...entirely now as warmonger Netanyahu has just said that norhtern Gaza is gone to become a militatry zone and all the Gazans will have to leave or starve.
Entirely different, all right.
How shameful.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)it's purely defensive, it's designed to intercept incoming short and medium range ballistic missiles and destroy them, so sending THAAD to Israel is a defensive move, not an offensive move.
Jmb 4 Harris-Walz
(578 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)I suspect that Biden would send it, but Ukraine seems satisfied with the Patriot system along with other systems sent by other nations.
Elessar Zappa
(15,310 posts)dsp3000
(608 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)I think I'll trust the Biden Admin. over an anonymous poster on a chat board, they know what they're doing better than anyone here.
tritsofme
(18,135 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)most people here don't realize that the THAAD system is purely defensive, not offensive, but when they see missile system, they automatically assume that it's an offensive system meant to reign death and destruction on other countries, especially if it involves US troops operating a US made system in Israel.
dsp3000
(608 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)You think that US troops aren't ready for such an attempt?
Once again, the Biden Admin knows what they're doing.
totodeinhere
(13,237 posts)until they agree to a ceasefire. We need to use our leverage with Bibi.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)but the Biden Admin. has made crystal clear time and time again that there will be no disruption in aid to Israel, one which I agree with, and I think they know better what they're doing than anyone on this board.
totodeinhere
(13,237 posts)And now Lebanese as well. It has got to stop. And FYI I oppose Hamas and have condemned their Oct.7 attack and they should release all Israeli hostages immediately.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)Israel with the stated intent of destroying the State of Israel.
I never said, nor indicated that you didn't oppose HAMAs.
totodeinhere
(13,237 posts)rejected the latest ceasefire deal brokered by the US and our allies. Remember, President Biden even said that Israel had agreed to the deal, but then Bibi backed out of it which was humiliating for the president. According to Bob Woodward's latest book, Joe hates Bibi by the way.
I know that you did not accuse me of supporting Hamas or Iran. I did not mean to infer that you were. I was only setting the record straight for everybody's information.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)From my understanding, Nuttyahoo rejected it because HAMAs kept changing the terms of the cease fire, and why would anyone trust HAMAs to keep their end of the bargain?
They don't have a very good track record on abiding by cease fires.
totodeinhere
(13,237 posts)under the circumstances. It was far from perfect and any cease fire would have probably eventually broke down. And yes Hamas cannot be trusted. But it was a start and I supported President Biden's effort to make it happen. And Bibi can oppose the deal but there was no reason to humiliate President Biden in the process.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)wnylib
(23,937 posts)The whole focus of pressure on Israel for peace is peculiar and misguided. Instead of protests against Israel for defending itself, there should be protests against terrorism by groups like Hamas.
Why aren't people protesting the taking of hostages? I don't mean limp statements that the hostages should be returned and comments that Oct 7 was terrible, given as as an afterthought. I mean strong, open and direct protests aimed at Hamas to stop killing Palestinians by using them as protection.
There should be international pressure on Hamas, from the West and from neighboring Arabic/Muslim nations to stop using tactics that put civilians in the front lines of a terrorist war.
Until I see that, I will believe that the protesters against Israel favor the terrorists and their concern for Palestinian civilians is a phony excuse to oppose Israel.
Jmb 4 Harris-Walz
(578 posts)so many innocent Palestinians have been killed (women, children, old men). I dont understand it and you seem to be where the Biden Admin is on the issue. Are you able to explain the United States position on the matter? Perhaps if its explained itll make sense. Thanks 🙏
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)it's in our best interest to help Israel intercept missiles fired at them from HAMAs, Hizbollah, or Iran, and remember, Israel didn't fire the first shot in this war, HAMAs did and on Oct. 8, one day after the atrocities committed by HAMAs, Hizbollah began launching aerial weapons into N. Israel and continued doing so until Israel finally had enough and decided to do something about it.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)if HAMAs hadn't invaded Israel, raping, mutilating, murdering men, women, children, kidnapping Israeli and foreign citizens, do you think that this war would be happening right now?
Jmb 4 Harris-Walz
(578 posts)Unfortunately, they hide behind these innocents and its hard to accept all the deaths occurring.
Israel was able to infiltrate Hezbollah with exploding cell phones and pagers in Lebanon. Why then couldnt something similar be done with the HAMAs terrorists?
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)Excellent question, one which I have no answer to, you would have to ask Israeli intelligence that one.
totodeinhere
(13,237 posts)soandso
(731 posts)and using US troops to operate it. Israelis aren't capable? I don't believe that.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)They believe that US troops are more capable of operating this system is better because they don't have to train Israeli troops to use it effectively, and Israel has agreed to let US forces operate it.
How long do you think it would take to train Israeli forces to master this system?
Days? Weeks? Months?
JohnSJ
(95,442 posts)knowledge base.
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)manicdem
(492 posts)So they wouldn't have personnel trained to use it. Probably take a good 6 months to train them on using and maintaining it.
walkingman
(8,200 posts)I don't understand the logic? Help me.
ThePartyThatListens
(18 posts)An escalation of war and DRAGGING America into it.
Me no like.
JohnSJ
(95,442 posts)Omnipresent
(6,197 posts)We are now getting drawn into a fight, because of Bebes rightwing bullshit government.
Israel is the puppeteer and the US has become the puppet.
tritsofme
(18,135 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)Some of the crap I read here is mind blowing.
tritsofme
(18,135 posts)Omnipresent
(6,197 posts)tritsofme
(18,135 posts)Omnipresent
(6,197 posts)tritsofme
(18,135 posts)Omnipresent
(6,197 posts)Or should i shut up and exile myself?
MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)Nobody is telling you to shut up, you have every right to express your opinion on DU within the ToS, but you will get push back from those of us who have differing opinions.
Omnipresent
(6,197 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)Reply to tritsofme (Reply #58)
Sun Oct 13, 2024, 05:26 PM
Or should i shut up and exile myself?
Omnipresent
(6,197 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(14,251 posts)Pres. Biden was part of a cult.
Omnipresent
(6,197 posts)rich7862
(132 posts)Biden needs to give Ukraine what ever they need to take Putin out now.
Before the election, that Putin thinks will give him control of American thru trump and the
treasonous congress.
wnylib
(23,937 posts)Ping Tung
(1,150 posts)Didn't workout too well for those sent to burn down villages to save them.
As the song says, "When will they ever learn?".
cadoman
(816 posts)...and that he's not beholden to anyone but the American people in his final days of service.
Thank you President Biden, for keeping Israel safe and protecting her right to exist.