2013 Briefing Book - Print Version - Aipac

ISRAEL AT RISK
Israel Faces Evolving Threats
Israel’s foes have shifted their focus beyond conventional military arms to the realm of rockets,
missiles and unconventional weapons. Dangers loom in every direction—Hizballah and Syria from
the north, Hamas and perhaps Egypt in the south and Iran to the east. Israel’s foes have combined
new military capabilities with the expressed intention of eradicating the Jewish state and pushing
the United States out of the Middle East.
Iran Continues to Develop Advanced Missile Capabilities
Tehran is rapidly amassing a stockpile of advanced ballistic weapons, with which it can intimidate
the entire region. Under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, this arsenal—
largely based on Russian, Chinese and North Korean technology—is regularly displayed with
slogans calling for the destruction of America and Israel. Iran’s long-range missile buildup is
increasingly using innovative and sophisticated indigenous technology and engineering. Not only
do such weapons directly threaten Israel and the Arabian Gulf region, but their proliferation spurs
America’s ongoing effort to deploy a missile defense shield to protect Europe.
Despite recent “mishaps” involving failed test launches and explosions at production facilities,
experts agree that Iran is advancing toward deployment of a robust, sophisticated arsenal of
ballistic and cruise missiles, guided rockets and armed attack drones.
Iran is stockpiling advanced ballistic missiles that can strike Israel and U.S. troops in the region.
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