Barbarians At The Gate

This story posted on Drudge piqued my interest. There appears to be growing concern among some in Israel that the size and sophistication of Hamas’ missile arsenal puts Israel’s top secret nuclear facility in Dimona at increased risk. Initially, this begs the question – if the facility is “top secret” how do we know about it?

But on a more ominous note, the story underscores for me the precarious situation Israel faces on a daily basis. I recall how in the weeks and months following 9/11, speculation on future attacks focused on strikes on nuclear facilities. Officials then took great pains to assure the public that existing facilities were safe despite subsequent security breaches. Thankfully, since September 11th there have been no terror attempts on US soil; unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Israel. And since the recent Hamas-ended truce, missile attacks on Israel have been commonplace. Not one – hundreds. And not homemade firecrackers either, as Palestinian apologists say – but dozens of Iranian and Chinese made short and medium range missiles with enough firepower to do serious damage. Eventually I’m afraid, the law of averages will win out, and the Huns will break through the gates.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has intimated on more than one occasion his desire to see Israel “wiped off of the face of the Earth.” And US efforts to contain Tehran to date have focused largely on curbing its nuclear and long-range missile programs. But through a coordinated war of proxy with thugs like Hamas and Hizbullah, Ahmadinejad may someday get his wish without seemingly firing a shot.