The mostly—reliable DEBKA.com site, reports that the United States is fostering defense technology collaboration between Italy and Israel, as part of a broad geo—political realignment.

On November 18, Israeli defense minister Shaul Mofaz met Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and defense chief Antonio Martino. They announced the joint allocation of $181 million for 'the development of a new electronic warfare system designed to disable enemy aircraft over a wide swath of airspace.'

According to DEBKAfile's military sources, this terse description applies to a weapon Israel has already developed for jamming the navigation, computers, signals and firing systems of a potential enemy's bomber—fighter, thereby disabling pilot and ground control.

That is only one element covered by the top—secret transaction; it also entails a broad range of missiles as well as electronic warfare systems for land, air and naval forces. The two governments agreed to join forces both in the manufacture and the marketing of these advanced military products.

Another key clause provides for close intelligence collaboration in combating terrorism.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Italy's military and electronics industry was capable of innovative weapons manufacture but lacked professional know—how. Its electronic warfare production was stunted by shortage of capital for research and development.

With the newly—acquired expertise, Berlusconi hopes to extend the lead Italy's electronic industry already has over its European competitors in Britain, Germany, France and Spain.

In New York City politics, it is said that a politician has to visit the "three I's" — Italy, Ireland and Israel — in order to win favor from the large ethnic voting blocs. Now, in national security, a slightly different set of three I's — Italy, Israel and India — is coming to prominence as military, diplomatic, and strategic allies in the transformation of the Middle East and destruction of Islamic terrorism.

Thomas Lifson  11 28 04