Dr.LUKE'S iDLE UTTERANCE

朝のジョッギング、午前のプールとサウナ、午後は映画、ではなく温泉。映画は観たいものがないわけで。青空を見上げながらの温泉は実に気持ちのイイもの。

さて、中東情勢だが、アメリカにおいて、メインストリームではほとんど報道されていないが、米議会下院にて"United States – Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 (USIESC)"が通過した。

• House Passes HR 4133 Binding the US to Israel and Their War Agenda

この法律に立法趣旨はイスラエルに対する無制限の軍事および資金援助の根拠を与えることだ。これによりイスラエルはFEDから無制限の資金を得ることができる。要点は次のとおり：

(1) Provide Israel such support as may be necessary to increase development and production of joint missile defense systems, particularly such systems that defend the urgent threat posed to Israel and United States forces in the region.

(2) Provide Israel assistance specifically for the production and procurement of the Iron Dome defense system for purposes of intercepting short-range missiles, rockets, and projectiles launched against Israel.

(3) Provide Israel defense articles and defense services through such mechanisms as appropriate, to include air refueling tankers, missile defense capabilities, and specialized munitions.

(4) Allocate additional weaponry and munitions for the forward-deployed United States stockpile in Israel.

(5) Provide Israel additional surplus defense articles and defense services, as appropriate, in the wake of the withdrawal of United States forces from Iraq.

(6) Strengthen efforts to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza pursuant to the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access following the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and to protect against weapons smuggling and terrorist threats from the Sinai Peninsula.

(7) Offer the Israeli Air Force additional training and exercise opportunities in the United States to compensate for Israel’s limited air space.
(8) Expand Israel’s authority to make purchases under the Foreign Military Financing program on a commercial basis.

(9) Seek to enhance the capabilities of the United States and Israel to address emerging common threats, increase security cooperation, and expand joint military exercises.

(10) Encourage an expanded role for Israel within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), including an enhanced presence at NATO headquarters and exercises.

(11) Support extension of the long-standing loan guarantee program for Israel, recognizing Israel’s unbroken record of repaying its loans on time and in full.

(12) Expand already-close intelligence cooperation, including satellite intelligence, with Israel.

さらにイランが核武装を意図した核開発をしていることを明言。イスラエルの脅威となるばかりでなく、テロ行為にも加担していると指摘。またイスラエルは200-300発の核ミサイルを保有しているとしている。