Bill Gertz of the Washington Free Beacon reports that Israeli officials are quietly fuming at U.S. officials who participated in leaking information about a July 5 attack in which an Israeli Dolphin-class submarine launched missiles against Russian anti-ship missiles that had been delivered to the Syrian port town of Latakia.
It would appear to be only the latest in a series of leaks about Israeli defense capabilities and activity by the Pentagon. Previously, there had been leaks about Israel’s involvement in the development of the Stuxnet virus, about Israel’s plans to attack Iran, about Israeli airfields in the region, and many other leaks besides.
Gertz reports:
Senior Pentagon officials, including Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter who is currently visiting Israel, discussed the leaks during meetings with Israeli officials this week. The Israelis argued in private meetings and other exchanges that the disclosures could lead to Syrian counterattacks against Israel and should have been coordinated first with Tel Aviv.
Pentagon press secretary George Little declined to comment when asked if Carter discussed the leaks in meetings with Israeli officials on Monday.
In related news, the Jerusalem Post reports that Israel has devised technical defenses against the Russian S-300 antiaircraft missile system, which it intends to deliver to Syria and which could target Israeli aircraft, as well as the aircraft of other governments. Israel has previously warned that it will not allow the Syrian regime possess or operate the S-300 missiles, lest they alter the regional balance of power to Israel’s detriment.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.