Article

2012-02-07 Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Israel will ask to station IAF jets in Cyprus

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by tipper 2012-02-07 11:32|| || Front Page|| [11128 views ] Top

#1 So someone explain to me why Israel wants to do this. I don't get it.

Posted by Steve White 2012-02-07 16:21|| 2012-02-07 16:21|| Front Page Top

#2 Quid pro quo w.r.t. the Turks. The northern half is occupied by Turkey.

Posted by Shimble Guelph5793 2012-02-07 16:25|| 2012-02-07 16:25|| Front Page Top

#3 There are easier ways to do that. Moving a squadron to Cyprus is no small matter. It's similar to us having an airbase overseas.

I don't see the strategic usefulness. Israel isn't going to attack Turkey (I think), and if it wanted to do so it has plenty of reach already. It doesn't help with Iran or Syria, and doesn't really help with Egypt. Plus the Cypriots, I assume, would have some sort of veto power over Israel using the base for an attack elsewhere.

So I don't get it.

Posted by Steve White 2012-02-07 17:01|| 2012-02-07 17:01|| Front Page Top

#4 First thing that occurred to me was dispersal of assets to offset possible losses in the event of a nuclear exchange. Israel is a small dense target. Cyprus is close enough but not splash close. Iran is unlikely to nuke Cyprus, allowing a safe haven and another ratchet. I don't think that this is a counter against Turkey. But it does put a stick in Erd's eye. And maybe Greece is eye-ing the cash influx possibilities and the not so bitter thought of an annoyed Erd. win win for them.

Posted by Whiskey Mike 2012-02-07 17:10|| 2012-02-07 17:10|| Front Page Top

#5 Turkey has been drilling off Cyprus (with military escort) while threatening Greek Cypriot/Israeli/US companies from drilling. The Israelis are matching Turkey's escalation of force.

A squadron of jets dispersed to Cyprus won't make any difference in a Mideast war and leaves them more vulnerable to terrorist/commando attack. But it does cement closer Israeli-Greek Cypriot relations and any force escalation Turkey may try to prevent energy extraction can be met from Cyprus.

Posted by Shimble Guelph5793 2012-02-07 17:29|| 2012-02-07 17:29|| Front Page Top

#6 Beat me to it SG5793
Dispersian is good
Erdogon is an ass
And, those piece tortillas also tend to float by there

Posted by Elmusing Protector of the Trolls8861 2012-02-07 17:36|| 2012-02-07 17:36|| Front Page Top

#7 Someone stole the cookie from the cookie jar

(Wuz me @ #6)

Posted by swksvolFF 2012-02-07 17:38|| 2012-02-07 17:38|| Front Page Top

#8 "Someone stole the cookie from the cookie jar"

Probably dem eeeevil Juices, swksvolFF. ;-p

Posted by Barbara 2012-02-07 19:35|| 2012-02-07 19:35|| Front Page Top

#9 I bet that the Israeli's use these as escorts for a strike package or perhaps load them with 'special' ordinance for a second strike if needed.

It just makes the calculation of where and what is coming more complex. Who is watching the runways and reporting back to Iran? Who manages them?

Just all around a cheap easy way to make extra problems for Iran, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Egypt and Gaza.

Posted by rammer 2012-02-07 21:01|| 2012-02-07 21:01|| Front Page Top

#10 Cyprus is only about 200 miles further from Tehran than Israel is, so it's gotta be a thorn in a nuclear Iran's side.

It would give Israel two angles on Lebanon and Syria, which would both be a more serious thorn in Iran's side if they are considering a conventional attack on Israel, and Israel considers Iran to be a non-nuclear power.

Posted by gorb 2012-02-07 21:36|| 2012-02-07 21:36|| Front Page Top

#11 might overfly Syria on the way. Special delivery

Posted by Frank G 2012-02-07 21:36|| 2012-02-07 21:36|| Front Page Top

00:02 Procopius2k
23:43 Eric Jablow
23:31 JosephMendiola
23:30 USN, Ret.
23:27 JosephMendiola
23:17 JosephMendiola
23:05 JosephMendiola
22:54 Chesh Squank6666
22:48 Chesh Squank6666
22:38 Iblis
22:27 trailing wife
22:25 RandomJD
22:05 RandomJD
22:05 gorb
21:58 USN, Ret.
21:55 trailing wife
21:53 trailing wife
21:49 USN, Ret.
21:45 gorb
21:43 Choluse Graling8806
21:36 Frank G
21:36 gorb
21:29 gorb
21:28 Choluse Graling8806