Israel's Chinese Deal

Here's a dilemma. Back in the 1990s, Israel dealt Harpy drone aircraft to China despite U.S. pressure not to do so. However, the radar and anti-aircraft targeting drones lacked sophisticated upgrades which Israel promised to provide. Last year, China returned the aircraft for the upgrades to enhance equipment performance.

The United States fears the Harpy military technology could be used to threaten Taiwan and endanger US forces in case of war with China. The US position has put Israel in the difficult position of having either to defy its main ally, or violate a trust with China, a market with considerable growth potential for Israeli high-tech and military exports.

In 2000 Washington pressured Israel to scrap a different Israeli arms deal with China worth $2 billion. China blamed the United States for interfering in the sale of PHALCON reconnaissance planes. Israel said the botched deal caused lingering ill will with China that was resolved only after Israel paid China reparations.

Presently, it's not clear how Israel will resolve its dilemma. Nevertheless, as a stereotypical amateur geopolitical wizard, my take is for Israel to be extra careful when supplying any military technology to a communist government. Either that or don't be surprised when Harpy drones start taking off from Iranian or Syrian airfields. When it comes to fortifying military arsenals, it's probably advisable to conduct business only with those countries on the same side of the ideological scrimmage line.