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 Israel Size: 20,770 square kilometers. Population: 5.9 million |
Israel faces a range of nonconventional threats thought to be unlikely
before Sept. 11, 2001. The country has been preparing for a biological or
chemical weapons attack from Iraq or Islamic insurgency groups aligned with
Saudi fugitive Osama Bin Laden. The new threat overshadows the huge efforts
to modernize Israel's military. Israel's air force has ordered 102 F-16I
multi-role fighters in purchases totalling $4.5 billion.A key focus for 2002 will be plans to improve its missile defense system as
well as introduce a new offensive layer. Israel is trying to obtain U.S.
agreement for research and development projects that would destroy enemy
missile launchers.Diplomatically, Israel is under greater pressure from Europe and the United
States. International lobbying for a Palestinian state is increasing and
Israel expects to enter a diplomatic process that will result in pressure to
allow for a unilateral establishment of a Palestinian state. At the same
time, the war with the Palestinians is expected to continue into 2002,
although on a lower scale.
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