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From: nsc!taux01.nsc.com!amos@decwrl.dec.com (Amos Shapir)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: What is the military importance of Israel to the US?
Message-ID: <12396@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 18 Dec 89 04:55:04 GMT
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From: nsc!taux01.nsc.com!amos@decwrl.dec.com (Amos Shapir)

Basically, Israel's importance stems from its proximity to the Suez Canal,
and its ability to function without it.

During WWII, the port of Haifa was used as a back up to the port of
Alexandria in Egypt which was in danger of being taken by Rommel.  It
was also the only friendly port to the US 6th fleet in the Eastern
Mediterranean during most of the 60's and 70's, when Egypt and Syria were
under Soviet influence.

During the times when the Canal was closed (1967-79) Israel operated
a 'land bridge' from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.

Israel is also one of the few stable western-oriented countries
in south-west Asia.

-- 
	Amos Shapir		amos@taux01.nsc.com, amos@nsc.nsc.com
National Semiconductor (Israel) P.O.B. 3007, Herzlia 46104, Israel
Tel. +972 52 522261  TWX: 33691, fax: +972-52-558322 GEO: 34 48 E / 32 10 N