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

[sarisataka]

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

[Lonestarblue]

1. I guess Netanyahu has achieved his goal of pulling the US into the war.

Regardless of the reason, troops on the ground is not a good look just now. I hope it does not diminish support for Harris because she is part of the current foreign policy team.

[JoetheShow]

2. Sure... let's put American troops in the middle of yet another endless conflict. What could go wrong?

We don't have a treaty with Israel. We don't have any obligation to help the Israelis do to the Palestinians what we did to the Native Americans. Someday we need to learn we don't own and operate the world. By inserting ourselves into Israels wars, we're preventing any chance of a negotiated cease fire before tens of thousands more people are killed.

[FirstLight]

3. fuck....stop helping them!

I know it's unpopular to say shit about Israel, but I dont want us to give them shit. Netanyahu is a war criminal and doesn't deserve our help until he stops targeting civilians and hospitals etc. I am half jewish and I am so pissed at this...the US doesn't owe Netanyahu anything.

Sorry, I know it's probably seen as antisemitic to talk badly about Israel but this has gotta stop

[MarineCombatEngineer]

5. No, it's not antisemitic,

but the Biden Admin. has made it crystal clear that they will NOT impose any stoppage of aid, including military aid, to Israel, which I wholeheartedly support.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

4. Unlike others, I applaud the Biden Admin. for making this decision to help defend Israel

against the constant missile barrages against them from the numerous terrorist orgs. and
Iran dedicated to the destruction of Israel and the elimination of the Jews.
That's my President.

[COL Mustard]

6. THAAD is the crown jewel of our missile defense arsenal.

A battery costs ~$800M. We're sending a lot of capability with this deployment but like you, I support it.

[Beastly Boy]

7. Let's all get outraged together and condemn the US for providing protection for Israeli civilians against attacks from

Iran and its numerous terrorist proxies!

Because it's a crime against humanity, perpetrated on the thousands of poor defenseless missiles extending good will and reconciliation towards the Zionist genocidal colonialist land grabbers...

(damn, I am fresh out of sarcasm smilies. Anyone have a dozen or two to spare?)

[Autumn]

8. Fuck. This is the last thing we need.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. This will give Iran a new target to shoot at.

Hell, this might give Israel a new target to shoot at.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ek2gkp9k2o

[former9thward]

21. You know someone is desperate to throw anti-Israel smears

when they have to go all the way back to 1967.

[Richard D]

10. I will be overjoyed . . .

. . . when Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, IS, and the Islamic Republic of Iran are no more. The world will be a far better and safer place, and the people living in those areas will have freedom from oppression, especially women.

Kudos to Biden for helping this happen. Support Israel, or support Iran. My choice is clear.

[Autumn]

12. Hezbollah, ISIS, IS, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will always be there. So will Israel.

They need to learn to get along and stop their enduring hatred.

[Richard D]

13. The only answer is their total destruction . . .

. . how is it even conceivably possible for Israel to "get along" with people whose only stated goal is to utterly and totally destroy it (and all Jewish people)? It's like asking the Allied forces to just get along with the Third Reich.

I really believe that if this attitude had existed in the Second World War, our flag would have a swastika on it instead of stars.

[Autumn]

14. There will never be total destruction for any of them.

[Richard D]

15. Pessimistic . . .

. . . why not? Everything has its cycle, and everything dies. It's time for terrorist organizations to depart this plane.

[Autumn]

16. Religious hatred runs deep and it's ingrained in them from early childhood.

[Richard D]

17. Germany and Japan...

[Aussie105]

20. "It's time for terrorist organizations to depart this plane."

Which ones?
So many!
Includes Israel.

[Richard D]

22. It really doesn't.

History speaks for itself. Sad thing is so many jump on the popular hate Israel bandwagon without paying attention to the whole story.

[question everything]

11. This is how this country can test the effectiveness of various weapons

[TomSlick]

18. I have two inconsistent thoughts about this.

First, I remember that our involvement in Vietnam began with a few advisors. What happens when some of these US troops are killed in Israel? Will the US not be obliged to escalate its involvement?

Second (and inconsistently) why do we send US troops to help Israel, which is quite capable of defending itself, but do not provide the same weapons and personnel to protect Ukraine which is facing an existential fight against Putin's aggression?

I don't have answers, just questions.

[Aussie105]

19. Strengthening the Iron Dome?

I'm all for that.

Sending 2,000 lb bombs for Israel to use on Palestine, Lebanon?

Bad idea!

As for the one person in this thread calling for total destruction of anti-Israel countries in the Middle East - words fail me!
All sides have blood on their hands.