Watching the Middle East descend into chaos reminds me of one terrible fact. We've sold some very hi-tech toys to many of the nations in the region...and if we haven't then the Europeans have.
I hope kill switches, security devices...something to keep them from being used against our forces has been installed. Playing with dictatorships, monarchies ... whatever can be very dangerous business.
Sadly we have to worry about this with Taiwan, too. Both due to their own military leaders spying for China, and due to the odds China just retakes Taiwan by force.
ReplyDeleteAnything we give to Taiwan has a non-trivial chance of someday ending up in ChiCom hands.
The Middle East - and especially the Saudis - require vast contractor support as they lack the necessary skill base to maintain and support much of the high-tech kit (it's one of the reasons the Saudis always buy both Euro and US jets).
ReplyDeleteEgypt being the exception as they build their own M-1 tanks for example, but they too need US/European technicians and specialists to keep the rest of their aircraft and armor up and running.
So in a way there is a 'kill switch' by simply witholding maintenance staff and spare parts - Indonesia, Pakistan and India have experienced that and didn't like it at all.
Sol, there's a lot of american and European hardware in that region. You have the example of Iran who still has some US vintahe weapons and I don't think that lesson was learnt. If the proverbial shit hits the fence, than i'm afraid that even without Dorchester armour, the Abrams sold for example to Egypt would become a real threat. Imagine that the alliance that attacked the Israeli back in the comes back to life fueled by the islamic fundamentalist that seem to be on the verge.
ReplyDeleteThe solution to the problem of the Arabs using real military equipment instead of slingshots, is the US fires a Minuteman III ICBM, 300 miles above the middle east and bang. The resulting EMP blast would fry every electrical circuit for almost 1500NM, problem solved.
ReplyDelete@Solomon
ReplyDeleteDon't assume everything will end up like Iran. Yes, we should approach these events with cautious optimism, but what's being witnessed here is the revolt of people fed up with oppressive regimes and governments. The threat posed by Islamic fundamentalists are small, with Al-Qaeda even condemning the uprisings in Tunisia, Bahrain and Egypt.
If the US supports these dictatorships for the stability of the region, would you think the new governments (which would eventually take power one way or another as we're witnessing) would be so kind to us?
I'm not trying to bash you here, just letting you see the bigger picture.
Totally agree with you on that, Sol. There are a lot of very capable weapons in that region from the US and Europe. But honestly, what worries me more is the electronics outsourced from China and even Taiwan in our own weapons. Fully vetting all those microprocessors is impossible, and unfortunately, most of the chip foundries are not located in this country anymore.
ReplyDelete'I hope kill switches,security devices have been installed' So your idea is to sell foreign countrys billions of dollars worth of weaponry that would be useless if you so decided.
ReplyDeleteIf any foreign country that you have sold weapons to found out that said weapons had some sort of software installed,that could render them incapable of fighting at the behest of the US then it would be catostrophic.
Your defence exports would be decimated,no foreign buyer would ever trust you again and you would lose hundreds of thousands of american jobs.
How many are employed by your biggest defence companys,then add to that number the tens of thousands in the supply chain to those companys.
Even the idea that you have mooted will make people think and put doubts in their minds.
Still it will be good for the European defence sector who are gaining more and more of a foothold in worldwide export markets.
Nice one Sol.
You never disapoint when it comes to idiocy.
"..the US fires a Minuteman III ICBM, 300 miles above the middle east and bang. The resulting EMP blast would fry every electrical circuit for almost 1500NM, problem solved..."
ReplyDeleteThat includes Israeli equipment, leaving them only with small arms. Not a good idea given the number of Muslims around them.
Sollie is the Global Village Idiot.
ReplyDeleteSolomon,
ReplyDeleteIgnore Anonymous and he'll eventually go away. Or just turn on your comment moderation. He/she reminds me of the liberals I see on the Fox News article/comments section.
FWIW, I learn something new every time I come here and I appreciate your time you put into your blog.
spot on Kateykakes.
ReplyDeletethanks alot.
Kateykakes,
ReplyDeleteSo you can't stand the truth either,and would advise censorship.
Perhaps if you used a bit more common sense you would realise that this sort of thing is at the bottom of the current crisis in the middle east.
As far as I can see,far from learning something new every time you come onto this blog you have learned absolutely nothing.
Democracy means free speech which you seem opposed too.
Bye the way,there are more than one person posting under anonymous some more polite than others.
Anon,
ReplyDeleteI'm well aware that there are others that use the moniker "Anonymous", but since you're the only instigator, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who my intended target is.
As far as censorship, this is Solomon's blog. If he doesn't want to have your bullshit posted here, he's not required to. I censor my blog and the way I see it, if you don't like my rules, don't go there. My blog; my rules.
I'm not opposed to free speech. What I am opposed to is someone cramming their beliefs down my throat and having them say it's the truth because they think it is. For example, if you're a fag, hey, more power to you, but I don't have to like it (or you) and I don't have to accept it (or you) because you think I should.
I'm done replying to you. This is Solomon's blog and I'm not going to further this discussion to satisfy your ego. If you have issues with what I've said, feel free to email me at kateykakes@gmail.com or come hash it out over at Fox News. I use the name Elena there. I guarantee if you show up, I won't be as nice to you as I am here.
Katey
Responding to Anonymous's point that an EMP blast over the Middle East would disable Israeli military equipment when I said the Middle East I meant Mecca or Tehran. By the way another solution is to warn the Israelis, and let them get their gear to a shielded location or for aircraft and ships, out of the region.
ReplyDelete