US to send troops to Israel

[sarisataka]

US to deploy about 100 troops to operate advanced anti-missile system in Israel amid heightened tensions

Source: CNN

The US will send an advanced anti-missile system — and US troops to operate it — to Israel “to help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s 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]

1. 👇👇👇👁️👁️

[LexVegas]

2. Thank you President Biden! A great leader. nt

[brush]

83. See post 80 and justify if you can.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

86. Your post 80 has nothing to do with the THAAD system being deployed to Israel,

it's a totally different issue and to try to use it on this thread is disingenuous.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

3. Excellent news.

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]

9. Yeah, Fuck the Hamas, Hezbollah, & Iranian Terrorists

Why would anyone think Defending Against these Terrorists is a "thumbs down"?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

10. Oh, you know,

ISRAEL.

[Cha]

12. Yeah I know. I support Fighting & Eliminating Terrorists.. That's My Priority.

If the USA can help with their Anti Missile System then Excellent.

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.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

14. Yup, and it's not an offensive missile system, it's purely defensive,

it wouldn't be helping Israel "bomb" other countries, as was claimed.

[Cha]

16. Yeah, it would be helpful IF the OP was understood before

any Anti Israel Posts popped up.

Defending Against Terrorists.. Get IT!

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.

[brush]

80. Things have changed drastically. This is related but a whole other matter.

What about this?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=19563462

[Mosby]

87. What about it? It's a plan developed by retired military personnel

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]

4. Certainly understandable given the threat that Israel faces

I have no problem with this move

[underpants]

5. I don't like it, politically or I guess strategically

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, everyone’s going to take a shot at them and we don’t need dying soldiers ever but especially now.

[anciano]

6. I agree.

[totodeinhere]

19. Agreed. The last thing we need right now is losing Arab American votes

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]

82. Why would Arab-Americans be bothered?

If no missiles are fired at Israel, these things will never be fired, either.

They aren’t 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]

22. Young voters don't care

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]

32. .5 to .7% in how many states determine this election?

[Sympthsical]

55. If we lose by some vanishingly small amount

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]

28. I agree. It was my first thought when I read about it. And quite honestly, I'm just as worried about friendly fire.

I don’t 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]

30. So you're saying that Nuttyahoo will purposely kill US troops in Israel to harm

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]

37. Do you trust Netanyahu after all the stuff he's pulled in the last few months?

I didn’t know that, so thanks for the tip. I sincerely would like to believe it’s not a possibility and I hope my worries are for naught!

[MarineCombatEngineer]

40. I don't trust Nuttyahoo,

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]

79. But there is a risk that, with US troops on the ground,

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.

[cilla4progress]

78. Agree

why now

[brush]

7. Seriously? We can't give Ukraine such help but we think Israel needs more help bombing neighboring countries?

Priourities pls. Ukraine needs that kind of help.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

8. Deploying the THAAD missile system is not helping Israel bomb

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]

13. The point is Ukraine needs that help. Israel is doing ok on it's own and is anything but helpless.

Putin is sending drones, planes and rockets into Ukraine at will but we won't allow Ukriane weapons to respond in kind.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

15. What makes you think that Ukraine isn't getting that type of help?

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?

[Jmb 4 Harris-Walz]

31. The situation is entirely different.

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 hasn’t approved this type of use) Putin will take it as an act of war from the USA against them and he doesn’t want to start anything right now. Perhaps things will be different after the election. I have no idea.

[brush]

33. Ukraine could certainly use the defensive batteries being given to Israel.

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]

34. THAAD is NOT an offensive weapons system,

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]

41. I'm quite aware of this fact... I was talking about weapons given to Ukraine, not THAAD.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

45. If Ukraine requests that system,

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]

11. This is defensive help from us.

[dsp3000]

17. Terrible fucking idea

[MarineCombatEngineer]

18. Why?

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]

21. Some folks don't seem to like things that make it more difficult to kill Jews, I suppose.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

23. It would seem so,

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]

44. I don't want to increase the chance of dead US soldiers, let alone one month before the most consequential election

[MarineCombatEngineer]

46. And just who would kill those US troops?

You think that US troops aren't ready for such an attempt?
Once again, the Biden Admin knows what they're doing.

[totodeinhere]

20. I understand that this is defensive. But I am opposed to sending any more help to Israel

until they agree to a ceasefire. We need to use our leverage with Bibi.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

24. It's your right to be opposed,

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]

27. Innocent Palistinians are being slaughtered everyday.

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]

29. It'll stop when HAMAs, Hizbollah, Iran and all the other terrorist orgs. decide to stop attacking

Israel with the stated intent of destroying the State of Israel.
I never said, nor indicated that you didn't oppose HAMAs.

[totodeinhere]

42. I am not defending any of Israel's enemies but it was Bibi, not they who

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]

47. Fair enough.

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]

51. President Biden and our Arab allies thought that it was a good deal

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]

56. Agreed. nt

[wnylib]

85. Then why are you not advocating pressure on Hamas?

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]

35. I agree everyone is allowed their own opinions. I guess my confusion is why the US is so set in protecting Israel when

so many innocent Palestinians have been killed (women, children, old men). I don’t 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 it’s explained it’ll make sense. Thanks 🙏

[MarineCombatEngineer]

36. Israel is an ally, whether or not Nuttyahoo is in power or not,

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]

38. One other thing,

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]

48. No I don't. HAMAs are guilty of horrific atrocities and the terrorists should be eradicated for their actions.

Unfortunately, they hide behind these innocents and it’s hard to accept all the deaths occurring.

Israel was able to infiltrate Hezbollah with exploding cell phones and pagers in Lebanon. Why then couldn’t something similar be done with the HAMAs terrorists?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

49. ...

Israel was able to infiltrate Hezbollah with exploding cell phones and pagers in Lebanon. Why then couldn’t something similar be done with the HAMAs terrorists?

Excellent question, one which I have no answer to, you would have to ask Israeli intelligence that one.

[totodeinhere]

43. It has a lot to do with the influence AIPAC has on both political parties. n/t

[soandso]

25. There's a big difference in supplying a defensive system

and using US troops to operate it. Israelis aren't capable? I don't believe that.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

26. What you believe or don't believe matters not one whit to the Biden Admin.

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]

53. I think it may also involve classified information that perhaps the U.S. would prefer to keep within its own

knowledge base.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

57. I suspect you're right, probably one of the reasons it's not deployed to Ukraine. nt

[manicdem]

66. Israel doesn't have any THAADs

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]

39. So we refuse to send troops to Ukraine but it is OK to send them to Israel?

I don't understand the logic? Help me.

[ThePartyThatListens]

50. This is exactly what Bibi wants

An escalation of war and DRAGGING America into it.

Me no like.

[JohnSJ]

52. Not really "sending troops", but to utilize a defensive system.

[Omnipresent]

54. Wow!

We are now getting drawn into a fight, because of Bebe’s rightwing bullshit government.

Israel is the puppeteer and the US has become the puppet.

[tritsofme]

58. President Biden and VP Harris are puppets?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

59. IKR?

Some of the crap I read here is mind blowing.

[tritsofme]

61. And we know of course, puppet master is a more polite way of saying "the Jews"

[Omnipresent]

67. Just what are you insinuating with, "The Jews" comment?

[tritsofme]

72. I think it's pretty clear. You're the one here accusing Biden and VP Harris of being their "puppets"

[Omnipresent]

74. No answer from you about The Jews" comment?

[tritsofme]

75. What answer are you looking for? The implication made is clear, that Biden and Harris are puppets for "the Jews"

[Omnipresent]

60. Are we supposed to be part of a cult, like the magas?

Or should i shut up and exile myself?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

62. So Pres. Biden is part of a cult?

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]

63. I never said President Biden is a part of a cult.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

65. It sure seems like you inferred it.

58. President Biden and VP Harris are puppets?

60. Are we supposed to be part of a cult, like the magas?
Reply to tritsofme (Reply #58)
Sun Oct 13, 2024, 05:26 PM
Or should i shut up and exile myself?

[Omnipresent]

68. Maybe you're projecting that, because that is how you feel.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

69. Or maybe you worded it badly and that's why I took it to mean you meant

Pres. Biden was part of a cult.

[Omnipresent]

73. Or maybe you meant to say, you mean maybe to mean meant?

[rich7862]

64. What about Ukraine

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]

84. ?? How does this hurt Ukraine?

[Ping Tung]

71. I remember when we sent troops to Vietnam to stop the falling dominoes.

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]

81. some great points on both sides here--I'm just glad this is in Biden's steady hands

...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.