HOLY HASH

Bakaa Valley Youth displaying recent crop of Cannabis

1982 was a defining year in the world of Hash distribution and  hidden Hookah Hideouts in the Southern territory of Lebanon as well as the Northern regions of Israel. An Israeli invasion intent on rooting out the PLO and rocket launching cells that took the country hostage until the year 2000 became an open highway for heavy hash importation facilitated by the Hezbollah and local mafia related tribes in the area.  With a hole blown in Israeli defenses and Lebanese militants occupied with IDF forces, restrictions severely dropped off in regards to limitations inflicted on the sale and movement of Lebanese hashish. Since that time the traffic has continued  and when the IDF withdrew in 2005, big business hash dealers blanketed both sides of the security zone.

Well known for its massive Hash production, the Bakaa Valley along the Syrian border is considered one of the world’s top producers of high quality marijuana and hashish cultivation providing more than 90% of the Middle East’s supply of hash.  The monetary return for those that farm the product is unequivocal to any other growth their farms have ever produced. The dawn of hashish made farmers in the Valley rich beyond their wildest dreams.  Drug Lords from all over the world have ventured to the “Land of Milk and Honey” to be wined and dined by master growers looking to implement consistent high quantity sales to their comrades abroad.  When government troops from Syrian brigades began to crack down on the production in 2006, farmers and  distributors lost everything and saw no return on the promise their hash crops would be subsidized by the government in return for ceasing production. 

Donna Rosenthal ventures into the Bakaa Valley in her book The Israelis with a similar take on the movement of the hash into Israeli territories.  Her brief interview with Yoav Ben Dov, a youthful Israeli writer, confirms how mandatory the influx is these days; “Israel’s cannabis lobby is big.” (p.382) Cannabis use and promotional marketing is now big business heavily supported by the Hezbollah who generally patrol and control the economics involved with hash products leaving Southern Lebanon.  With heavy profits at stake and the risk of losing land to alternative farming,  it is no longer a valid ideal to hash farmers in the Valley. Supply and demand  has made it much harder to follow alternate avenues. Rosenthal exposes the high profit margin along with massive logistic requirements entailing a ton of networking to get the hash to market.

In the TIME article by Nicholaus Blanford, the backlash  to the failure of the UN-Lebanese hash /poppy alternative programs turned many hash farmers into rebellious militants hell-bent on growing what they feel makes them a legitimate profit. Blanford’s focus revolves around the farmer and the risks he faces by getting out of the pot business. Getting back into it makes more sense for those farmers trying to feed their families. The result has elevated these farmers to a more militant level. Securing the Bakaa Valley’s illustrious fields of joy in order to maintain the continual flow and production allows for them to survive monetarily as well. Blanford’s analysis is spot on delivering direct reporting from the fields from farmers like Ahmad: ““We are tired of being hungry. We view the government as an enemy and from now on we are going to grow hashish and we don’t care what the government says or tries to do.”” Although Lebanese police have continually frowned on this ideal, generally, most hashish farmers don’t even consider its cultivation a crime.     

Now, in order to protect investment, farmers hire militias that patrol their crops twenty four hours a day with rotating units trolling for trespassers.  Once covered corner to corner, the Valley’s floor was nothing more than hashish and poppy plant. Harvested at staggered times of the year, farmers mastered the art of  potency. For years, pot and poppy flourished like wild flowers as far as the eye could see. Now the restrictions have made what little is left extremely valuable property. This has made fewer farmers richer but it has also made them more prestigious and protective. Profits were so high for some it afforded them the ability to give expensive offerings as gifts such as cars and huge sums of cash.  Enticing foreign drug lords is critical to moving product overseas and furthering reputation.

With the potency and value going through the roof, hash provides more than just a high for people living in the Israeli Lebanese sector. It’s more than an addiction; it’s a career that many in the city completely overlook.  Growing and harvesting hash and poppy plants is hard work. Tasks like cutting, trimming, preparation, and transportation to market involve back breaking labor that many simply refuse. For those surviving the task, a profit is expected. In their eyes, they are providing society an escape. For those not addicted, that’s exactly what it is. The trafficking king-pins battle each other for territorial distribution, which is generally the only violence the drug generates. 

The Bakaa Valley is still the number one hash producer and distributor in Lebanon, Syria and Israel to this day. There is no other region even close.  The mass production has kept the cost low and made it extremely accessible. With so little law involved to curtail the laundering of its profits the incentive far outweighs the deterrent.  More Info.

A LIGHT AT THE END OF YOUR TUNNEL

Given Imaging's "Mouth to Anal" Intestinal Navigating Capsule

Ever since the first Israelis began re-establishing their existence within the Holy Land, the need to prolong existence and produce a victorious balance for the Jewish people has never waned. Alone and backed into a corner most of the time, Israelis have leaped into the 21^st century out of necessity more than experimentation.  The desire to serve and protect in more than just a military matter has become a worldwide attachment to the global economy and overall national existence.

Donna Rosenthal’s evident recognition of the technological advances made within Israel are wide ranging and extremely critical to the story behind the ever increasing advantages Israel has over the rest of the world when it comes technology, surveillance, and countrywide security. 

Rosenthal's analysis of new technical developments within Israel encapsulates the masterminds within the establishment. Direct, relative interviews of computer whiz kids with names such as "Shwed" and "Gil Bates" display her in depth reporting on the matters of technical advancements that usually begin with heavy training within the IDF. The skills and protocol of computer design are honed and eventually turned into gold mines on the stock market. The interesting fact Rosenthal reveals to the reader as far as technology is concerned is the enormous contribution these brilliant minds have donated to the medical world. 

Recently, the introduction of remote-control devices has armed doctors with a third eye into bodily caverns stethoscopes and hand guided machinery are unable to access.  One specific masterful use of this latest advance is the pill-sized camera device patients literally swallow whole.
 

If you’ve ever experienced the joy and elation of a colonoscopy, then you can surely relate to the overwhelming need of this device. The M2A remote video capsule developed by the Israeli Development group Given Imaging was designed to painlessly tumble its way down the dark mysterious tunnels of the human beings large and small intestines.  These desolate regions of the human bowels have never been seen in such a vivid manner. Snapping shots every two seconds as it slowly slides down intestinal lining, the capsule transmits hundreds of images to a small iPod-like device that stores the information for a doctor to peruse eight hours later. With its ability to find its way into the colon’s most inaccessible crimps and creases,  along with frequent data transmissions, the success rate of locating serious pathogens has increased significantly. 

Likened to “swallowing a missile that doesn’t explode” (p. 85) the M2A is a great example of Israeli determination and will to succeed.  Former missile scientist Gavriel Iddan explains some of the difficulties he faced in bringing the capsule to life. Batteries were a huge hurdle. “Batteries lasted ten minutes and we needed one that last ten hours.”  Refocusing his attack, Iddan watched as advances on the other side of the globe allowed for his vision to materialize. With the help of a NASA employee, Iddan was able to extract a special video chip small enough to fit inside the device’s shell. Shortly after, donations flooded in and soon Given Imaging ballooned into a million dollar business heavily traded on the NASDAQ.

In the article written and researched by Marcia Yu, a game changing advancement in both colon and intestinal treatments is unveiled. Once again, with the help of former Israeli IDF training, treatments for what many of us consider embarrassing, such as the beloved colonoscopy, are now 100% pain free. Yu, an RN herself, and obviously extremely experienced in the breakthrough, leaves no page unturned.  She reveals to the reader just how much satisfaction both the patient and the physician receive in the use of the new M2A mouth to anal endoscope.  Yu's article displays immediate reliability with her comparison to the previous enteroscopy method which left the patient sore, bleeding and overall completely uncomfortable. Now, with only eight hours of fasting, the patient's experience is not only painless, but the process provides hundreds of graphic images of colonic and intestinal linings.

Advancements like these are becoming more and more common in Israel and  Rosenthal notes how Iddan makes it clear what he thinks is the reason for Israel’s obvious edge on superior intelligence, communication and computer science. With many people fleeing Europe and Germany during the war, Israel became the landing pad for many of Europe’s highly educated professors and elites. ‘”And thanks to Hitler, we got a lot of world-class scientists. Professors the Nazis kicked out of German and other universities taught here.’”(p.87) This phenomenon, which much of the world has forgotten about, gave the following generation a head start on a difficult subject the rest of the world has yet to catch up to.

With almost no drawbacks, and nothing more than positive results, the recent upgrades within the capsule technology have eliminated the previous physician worry of the capsule’s inability to identify the exact location of the ailment.

Over the years Given Imaging has been the leader in medical advance throughout most of Europe, and more so in the United States where health levels have fallen off significantly.

Here’s a look at some of Given Imaging’s pain free options for gastrointestinal and throat navigation. It is extremely critical to note the discomfort that goes into this sort of diagnosis. Patients are consistently stressed and many have to repeat the procedure to find the source of the discomfort.  The introduction of the PillCam allows for pain-free pathogen analysis and discovery, which has made its inventors rich beyond their wildest dreams. 

                                                                                                                            PillCam SB and SB2  is a patient-friendly tool for visualization of the entire small bowel and detection of small bowel abnormalities. Ingested orally, no bowel preparation or sedation is needed.  

PillCam ESO provides a clinically proven, time-efficient and patient-friendly method for visualization of the esophagus. Also ingested orally.

PillCam COLON 2 is complementary to traditional colonoscopy and is used for patients who have received incomplete colonoscopy, are contraindicated for colonoscopy or are unwilling to undergo traditional colonoscopy.

The Colon 2 illuminates colon cavern

PillCam Express In May 2010, Given Imaging released a new manually guided GI scope based on PillCam swallowable devices. In cases where patient anatomy does not allow for natural passage of large tablets the size of traditional PillCams, the PillCam Express can be delivered through the stomach and into the small intestine with the help of an endoscope and a proprietary balloon deployment mechanism.

Express is a smaller cam inserted manually

The Bravo pH Monitoring System is a catheter-free ambulatory pH test.  Ambulatory pH testing is considered the gold standard for pH measurement and monitoring of gastric reflux, helping clinicians manage gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Featuring data collection for up to 96 hours, Bravo allows patients to maintain their regular diets and activities, accurately reflecting normal physiologic conditions.

Receives data from pencil sized data chip

 The continual advancement of technology within the medical field is sometimes a good sign of other advancements with the IDF and software companies throughout the region. In this case trained military experts aid physicians with loans of brilliance and the payoff is exponential. The Israeli synapse fires faster than the rest of the world and implies the reliance on its research by most up and coming nations. Every month new discoveries in technology flow from this hot spot of computer genius reflecting just how much of the world remains one step behind.

    

IDF: ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE

1972 Olympic Games in Munich Germany

There is only one country in the world that faces the threat of total elimination on a daily basis. The security obstacles that lie in the daily lives of Israeli’s are extremely evident.   Israeli citizens understand that as a people, they are not welcome by their surrounding Arab neighbors. Few, if any Israelis forget that if Israel was to lose any conflict or war with the Arab world, their country would be eliminated.

 Israeli counterparts like Hamas have chosen not to mention Israel in any of its literature.  Its educational volumes list Palestine as encompassing the entire Israeli border.  Iran, which considers Israel “the cancer” of the Middle East, has spent the last ten years promoting the destruction of Israel with absolutely no fear of retaliation from the rest of the world.

Considering this direct threat funneled through Iran and its terror tributaries, Israel has no choice but to arm its entire population with intelligence and defense mechanisms vital to their survival. Today, Iran’s inability to negotiate with world leaders on a professional level keeps the IDF on constant watch.

As Rosenthal notes in her book The Israelis, Sergent Eli Rosenfeld describes the IDF "as a complex melting pot of culture"(p.57). With access to superior education and diverse surroundings, men, and more importantly women play heavy roles in the training and intelligence operations critical to Israel’s defense. Special units and elite soldiers man special tasks designed for covert offensives that do not reveal their origin. All avenues to advantage are tightened and specialized into elite sections of battle-ready units.  Soldiers employ bugging, tapping, and special listening techniques allowing the interception of enemy kills, moves and transmissions. Their ability to closely implant themselves without detection is critical to the success of thwarting large terrorist and military advancements.

Special operations like the tracking of Yasser Arafat and the analysis of papers found in his compound after his death (p.68) is a perfect example of how intelligence can reveal real truths of enemy movement and intention. The bomb labs and terror factories found in Jenin would later confirm all suspicions.

 IDF intelligence units along with Massad operatives sworn to total secrecy are considered elite organizations by much of the globe. Israel prides itself on this ideal which helps with acquiring new recruits destined for spy life.

One special intelligence unit most common among the terror resistance side of the IDF is the Sayerot Mat’kal.  Founded in 1959 it’s responsible for decisive assassinations that have allowed for Israel to stop the development of terrorist attacks. In time of war this unit is employed on special recon missions designed to place the military in proper positions for offensive action.  When not engaged in war, Unit 269 is strictly an intelligence spy operation designed to reveal the secret positions of jihad hopefuls all over Israel, Gaza and the occupied territories.

 Here are a few of its most memorable accomplishments, both good and bad.

 Operation Isotope  1972

Prior to the massacre in Munich during the 1972 Olympic games, another incident involving the same Black September terrorists engaged the Sayerot Matkal when a  Sabena plane loaded with passengers landed in Tel Aviv.  With terrorists on board demanding the release of 315 Palestinian prisoners, IDF officials set in place the rescue of hostages and elimination of the Terrorist unit on board.  On May 8, disguised as airport refueling technicians, 16 Israel commandos raided the planed killing two of the four terrorists and taking the other two captive. With only one prisoner’s life lost, the operation was a complete success.  In the wake of the hostage recovery, Ehud Barak and Benjamin Netanyahu would receive great honors and popularity within the IDF as well as Israeli politics.

 

Munich apartment Raided by IDF

Operation Spring of Youth 1972

Hell-bent on the capture and imprisonment of persons responsible for the massacre in Munich, Israeli officials devised an elaborate plan to secretly invade Lebanese beaches and advance upon two high rise structures in the city of Verdun, which supposedly housed the individuals who planned the Olympic shootings. Upon arrival, zodiac boats landed on the Lebanese coast where the Matkal commandos were ushered in via civilian rental cars directly to their targets.  Once there, PLO operatives were surprised in their own homes resulting in the assassination of all three targets.  Two IDF commandos were killed but the operation was a complete success.  Barak was also involved in this operation and again received high honors for his bravery. More Info.

Ma'alot Massacre Incident – 1974

Occasionally, these secret operations are botched like the one at Mahalot High School in 1974. DFLP (Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine) terrorists invaded the school taking teachers, students and employees hostage.  Armed with an old World War II Mauser 98, unequipped for precise long range engagements, the sniper fired at one of the hostage takers only wounding him. This inability to kill the target resulted in the varying display of aimless gunfire at the hostages.  More casualties mounted when that gunfire was followed by a hash of grenade tosses eliminating the rescue operation. 21 people were killed along with 2 others killed by friendly fire, the result of a lack in preparation and training.

Seeing how the rest of the world removes themselves from the conflicts constantly arising in Israel, it is critical for the IDF to maintain a watchful eye on the Arab and Palestinian citizens operating within the state.  Military force has been the only viable resource for maintaining a Jewish nation when all seven Arab countries have vowed in the past to eliminate it. The old adage “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” is a reality in this region. With Palestinians and Arabs shielding themselves with the lives of women and children and launching rockets from schools and hospitals, anything is possible.  It is proof that the IDFs reliance on ground intelligence is massive, and without it, Israel would most definitely cease to exist.

IRON DOME: EFFECTIVE AND EXPENSIVE

 The inability of the United Nations peacekeeping forces to stay entrenched in Gaza terror activity has been a major hindrance to both the Palestinian and Israeli population in the region.  The UN has repeatedly displayed their impotent strategy in local Gaza towns and villages resulting in the assassination of top PRC officials. This, in turn, sparked the retaliating muster of misguided rocket fire from Palestinian militia units in the region. 

The elimination of Zuhair al-Qaissi, the secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committee is the direct result of lax UN military commitment to the terrorist operations in the Gaza strip. IDF officials made it clear that Qaissi had other intentions for the citizens of nearby Israeli villages and townships. According to Israeli officials, he is the responsible party involved in the kidnapping of the youthful Israeli Soldier Gilad Shilat in 2006.  His recently planned trip to the Sinai was not intended for peace or negotiation. Paperwork disguised as a colorful snorkeling excursion was painted over with an underlining message of mass murder in the Sinai Region. IDF phone taps and wireless infiltration once again proved his alternate plans.

In the Harretz article by Gili Cohen and Yanir Yagna regarding the latest use of the Iron Dome, the author lightly touches on the reasons for the attacks and gives absolutely no mention as to what initiated the rocket launches in the first place.  With nothing more than a brief mention of an extremely brittle Egyptian cease fire, only the regional aspects of the conflict are noted.  The villages of Netivot and Be’er  Sheva, where the happenings took place are evident, but there is still no mention of the Israeli assassination of the PRC official.  This is the most important part of this conflict, yet it is completely omitted.   The only legitimate, reliable information within this report informs the reader that schools and civic duties were shut down in the five cities of Be'er Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Malakhi and Gan Yavneh. Other than simple reporting of an incident, this article's reliability lacks an enormous amount of information.

Furthermore, there is no historical reference or detail involving the UN presence or assassination of Zuhair al-Qaissi, who was responsible for a terrorist attack that killed 8 Israelis.  There is no assessment of casualty and the author implies nothing about the randomness in regards to how the militants extend their missile delivery.

In contrast to Cohen and Yagna, the research and relativity of the article posted by Rick Moran employs the reader with vast knowledge of the situation.  Important facts regarding the four, and soon to be five more Iron Dome units deployed as well civilian casualties.  There is also background deployed to seat the reader on the frustration felt by Israelis and Palestinians in the region.  

Moran outlines the cost and links the reader’s consciousness with a hint of Palestinian animosity when noting the responsible donors for the financing of Iron Dome. Respectfully, his mention of the substantial $205 million donated by the U.S. in assistance for its’ manufacturing, underlines how deeply involved the Americans are in the conflict. He then gives another wink to the reader and implies how Congress has again authorized another $200 million in the near future.  More Info.

Moran has a stronger grasp of the atmosphere on the ground as well as militarily, giving history on the assassination along with the reason for a delay in the hit.  He assists the reader on the reason for the both sides retaliating. 

 Informing the reader on Iron Dome stats and tactics is important to understanding the value of the new defense system.

                                                                Operation Statistics

 Developed originally to shield Israel from Hezbollah attacks in the southern zone of the Lebanese border, they are essential to the million citizens in range of enemy missile attacks. Manufactured by the Israeli owned firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the missile stations provide a quality 90% success rate. They have no problem taking out Iranian Qassam or Soviet Grad missiles known for a cruise range of anywhere from 5 to 15 miles. Iron dome Interceptors cruise much faster than opponent projectiles at a range of 4 to 70 miles. Transported by truck, they carry a warhead capable of mid-air detonation. Deployment is triggered with software developed by Israeli defense firm Elta. More Info

                                                                        The Cost

Although the success rate of Iron Dome has proven its worth over the last year, its future is still unknown.  In order for the operation to flourish, U.S. aid is mandatory. As we see here in Yossi Melmann's examination of the incidents, the monetary expense of this defense literally skyrockets after each use. The cost of one Iron Dome Defense missile is upwards of $100,000. Shooting off 10 or 12 of these can ruin the budget, not to mention the complete halt to civilian life on the ground in surrounding Iron Dome outposts.

Despite the alarming cost, the southern part of the country where the Negev region is an extremely sensitive issue for the IDF, residents more than welcome the new mobile security units. Considering the ineffective Mubarak regime has allowed for limited security and unauthorized Bedouin patrols, Iron Dome is will be heavily relied upon. The patrols are well-known for disruption of civilian transit and critical pipeline routes. PRC Grad rocket fire is also extremely common in this area.

PRC Militia fighter displaying Grad Rocket prior to launch.

With Iran funding heavy artillery along with large caches of rockets to Hamas and  its PRC Militias, Israel's only alternative for protecting its citizens from the consistent aimless attacks has been air strikes followed by duck and cover Iron Dome Interceptors.   The urge to provide more units is high on the IDF’s itinerary, but they also understand the massive investment and realize they are not ballistic missile defense worthy.  Israel has no large missile defense system and the threat of large 750 pound warhead penetrating Israeli airspace becomes ever more real by the day. 

Options and Obstacles: Israel and Iran 2012

Israeli F-16 Fighter Jet preparing to refuel during long distance training maneuvers

Options and Obstacles: Israel and Iran 2012

Tensions over the possibility of military strikes between Iran and Israel have increased as each side seeks to  court the Atomic Energy Commission as well the United Nations. Americans have put the pressure on world leaders to deter any sort of nuclear development on the part of Iran, and with the rhetoric coming from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Israeli leaders have no other choice but to consider all the options.

Israel, a longtime receiver of terrorist assaults, has seen this type of activity from Arab countries in recent years and has reacted with covert offensive strikes to prevent the kind of destruction the Iranians talk so freely about. An example of this swift, corrective assault was seen in 2007 when Israel took out Syria’s nuclear power plant, which had just begun operations. Prior to this, a successful bombing of the Iraqi nuclear facility Osirak in 1981 proved that the possibility of eliminating a threat before it becomes one is always an option.

In the article from the Jerusalem Post, author Herb Keinon reports on the discussion given by newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem. It identifies the alliance between Israel and the U.S. and makes it clear that "any and all options are on the table." Shapiro emphasized that the use of Israeli intelligence forces on the ground are key to the American support and planning for how to handle the Iranian nuclear development.

Keinon does not got give any details on Israeli aggression toward Arab nuclear facilities and reveals nothing more than simple bureaucratic statements made by Ambassador Shapiro such as secret meetings being scheduled between world leaders. Keinon identifies but does not elaborate on Shapiro's reinstatement of Hamas as a terrorist organization. He makes a brief reference to Shapiro's reflection on his involvement and success of Iron Dome, the Israeli anti-missile defense system, which reveals that the Israelis are preparing for return fire, but overall, the author reports only the basic topics addressed at the Conference.

In terms of reliability, this article lacks resource and historical reference on the issues of nuclear development within the Arab world.  It does not reference the previous Arab-Israeli conflict with regards to nuclear facilities, sure to be a critical issue in Shapiro's new post.  The American Ambassador may have touched on this during the conference, but from this report, determining this is futile. American relations, which are critical to this dispute with Iran are only lightly described. 

In contrast to this article, Gaverial Queenan's report on the same conference uses a brief but informative historical narrative, giving the reader a better understanding of the Atomic Commission's interests as well as U.S-Israeli commitment. Queenan also gives the reader an indication of the disdain between Israel and the U.S. regarding the assassinations of the two Iranian nuclear scientists. This is crucial. Not only does it show American caution, but it also keeps Israel honest.
 
Unfortunately, neither article provides an in-depth breakdown of nuclear relations between Israel and the Arab world. A previous history of Israeli offensives on Arab nuclear facilities is essential to understanding the tension between Iran and Israel.

Syrian Nuclear Reactor

September 2007 – (Operation Orchard) Modeled after Korean nuclear facilities, satellite images taken by IDF officials located a nuclear reactor under construction in the AL-Kibar region of Syria just north of the Euphrates River. After bugging the laptop of a top Syrian official and the consultation of a defected Iranian scientists, Israeli officials acquired enough evidence implying Syria had other plans for its atomic resources. Used for the enrichment of uranium through centrifuges, the facility was apparently the next step before acquiring enough enriched uranium to build and test a nuclear weapon. Although not complete, satellite images and ground photography proved that the location was dedicated to uranium enrichment. On September 6, 2007 Israeli war planes flew over the facility and eliminated the operation. 

This map shows the location of Al-Kibar

Iraqi Nuclear Reactor

Osirak reactor before Israeli offensive

June 1981 – Operation Opera  – Purchased by the Iraqi’s from the French, the Osirak reactor was intended for peaceful use but suspicion grew on the part of the Israeli’s that its intended use was for military strikes on Israel.  Infiltration of the French support facility by Israeli intelligence resulted in the interception and destruction of the reactor’s first set of core structures before ever getting to Iraq.  Israel, so convinced of the reactor’s intent, built a model of the reactor for strategic military training purposes. Israel made significant advances in the gathering of intelligence on the ground after Iraq had made it's intentions for Israel clear. Osirak was said to be at least ten years away from production.

The assassinations of both Iranian scientists in the last year had many of the same markings used in the Egyptian scientist El-Mashad hit from 1982. This indicates that Israeli intelligence is still entrenched and probably  more aware of Iranian nuclear movement than any other country, apart from Iran itself.More info

If options for a strike have been seeded, the obstacles are inescapable for Israel. Strategic military factors play a gigantic role. Iran is much farther away than both Syria and Iraq.With Israel stretching their arm across Arab airspace, it presents a logistical nightmare, and requires precise coordination. Even with Iraq neutralized, The numbers and challenges that go with a military strike are exhausting considering the distance and maneuvers necessary to reach the region. It guarantees mid-air refueling and ensures vulnerability.

As we can see, the previous attacks and current initiatives by Israeli forces contributes to the pressure in regards to the use of nuclear energy on the part of Iran. Even though this aggression is spurred on by continual Iranian rhetoric, these factors must not be overlooked when focusing on the determination of Iran to keep enriching uranium. With the Arab League demonstrating unification in the past in regards to the elimination of Israel, and the Jewish population at an all time high, it is important for Israel to keep as many options on the table as possible. Even more critical, much of the Iranian population is in favor of nuclear development.

Pipeline Explosions Consistent Through 2012

Explosion Hits Egyptian Gas Pipeline to Israel

Pipeline explosions have raised a few eyebrows in the Middle East as of late. Numerous explosions have caused a delay in the transfer of much needed gas and the effects have put Israeli and Egyptian pipeline security forces on high alert. 

The pipeline, which runs directly through the Sinai desert, transfers gas to Israel as well as Jordan. It also carries a political edge and has sparked animosity with some Egyptian officials who feel that Israel doesn’t pay enough for it. Tensions have grown fierce along the pipeline routes and fingers are consistently pointed in both directions.

In the article from the Jerusalem Post, the author gives a brief account of the explosive activity  within Egyptian borders.  There is not much detail apart from the issue of recurrence, and the emphasis of Bedouin patrols hired by the Egyptian government.  The author keeps his account short and to the point, and limits the amount of detail apart from the pipeline being run by Gasco, a subsidiary of EGAS.

Even though the article states that Egyptian officials will be arming the pipeline with a remote alarm system and beefing up security with Bedouin forces, it neglects to inform the reader where exactly this pipeline runs and also whether or not a suspect has ever been apprehended.

With further research, one can assess there is more information to be had on the subjects of who, where, when and why.  

First, The Who: EGAS which began in 2001 is the state owned licensee and distributor of natural gas within Egypt and is responsible for making sure new projects are completed and communities are better supplied with the appropriate amounts of gas. EGAS is run by Gasco which is responsible for refining the gasoline and making sure it gets to the proper distributions sites. 40% of all Israeli power consumption comes from natural gas and that number jumps to 80% when referring to Jordan.

The Where: The Sinai, located in the north of Egypt, has long been considered a place of turmoil for both neglected Bedouin populations and attacks on Israelis. It runs along the southern Israeli border and shares that division with northern Egypt.  The pipeline V’s off from the Sinai and heads north, sending one arm of petrol into Jerusalem, and the other arm along Israel’s eastern border into Jordan, clear up through Amman. Al-Arish, the largest Egyptian town on the Mediterranean, is just a few miles down from Al-Massaeed where the blast took place.

The When:  There have been a reported 12 attacks. This is the first attack on the pipeline for 2012. Eleven previous attacks occurred in 2011. Security forces within the Egyptian interior are spotty at best, and the pipeline is not wholly protected until it reaches the Israeli border. Prior to the current issues that have arisen in Iran, Israelis were paying $4 for a gallon of gas. That number has now risen to $9. Jordan,  has also seen its gas prices double since October 2011.

Finally, The Why:  Reports say the attack occurred after an Islamic Leader died in a Cairo prison. The crumbling Egyptian regime that saw the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak has had poor security response issues because of a reduction in its security force. This, along with high tensions over the agreement previously made with Israel, regarding the amount Egypt charges them for natural gas, have delayed a swift resolution. The agreement, signed in 2008 is supposed to allow Israel to purchase gas at a very decent price through the year 2023. New government policies and officials have recently been trying to amend these agreements to keep the gas flowing.

Egypt, who employs heavily armed Bedouin tribes to secure the pipeline has also experienced heightened conflict along that border in the past with smuggling of arms and attacks against Israel, which have made negotiations more difficult. 

 No suspects have been apprehended at this time but the potential damage to Israeli infrastructure and its partner Jordan, are the most concerning for both countries. Gas delays in both nations can sometimes go weeks without any solutions. 

Overall, the issue of Pipeline attacks and written correspondence requires the reporter to view many sources in order to relay the correct facts.  Being that the attacks are generally within the Egyptian boarders, it is critical to make proper assessments on the causes and effects of such explosions before the transmission of any information has occurred. Both political and national concerns play a heavy roll in the flow of natural gas from the Sinai. More information can be found in the Egypt Independent.