On December 1st the Jerusalem Post published an article by Benjamin Corn headlined 'The Irony of the Iron Dome'. "On November 14, 2012, the IDF launched Operation Pillar of Defense in response to rocket attacks on Israeli cities by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Ansar al-Sunna factions," the article begins. "Throughout the short military campaign, the hero was not a sniper, a fighter pilot or even a decorated general. Instead, the rising star was the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system, which prevented most enemy missiles from landing in inhabited regions of Israel."
"According to reports from the IDF, Iron Dome had a de facto success rate approaching 85%, taking into account the rockets the system deemed to have a high probability of veering toward uninhabited lands or bodies of water. Iron Dome anti-missile batteries saved lives, preserved property, and made it possible to do without the deployment of ground troops in Gaza," the article reads.
"Iron Dome, we civilians were informed, is a remarkably effective and surprisingly straightforward defense system comprised of three parts – first, a radar unit that detects threats within a 70 km radius; second, a “Battle Management and Control Truck” that rapidly processes incoming ballistic data and determines whether to ignore or block the identified projectile; and third, an “Interceptor Unit,” which launches an opposing missile programmed to cross paths with the incoming rocket or artillery shell and then detonate," the author writes.
"In an age where information is so readily accessible, we are conditioned to seek the facts that will supposedly empower us in times of crisis, such as during war or life-threatening illness. Sometimes, however, the quest for knowledge can be counterproductive. The time we spend trying to satisfy our craving for data may cost us our opportunity to benefit from help," the article reads.
"Living through the challenges of either national or personal peril may convince us that a power greater than logic or reason exists – a power called faith. Experience may lead us to agree that, as Mitch Albom concludes in his book, Have A Little Faith, “profound comfort is readily achievable by believing in something bigger than ourselves,” the author concludes.
Hurriyet published an article entitled 'Very nice to be seeing these days'. "Generally, we all like to complain. We complain about almost everything. We enjoy dragging the municipality, the police and of course governments through the mud. We pour our hearts out, forgetting our own mistakes," the author of the article, Mehmet Ali Birand, writes.
"Criticisms toward the Justice and Development Party (Ak Party) government because it has created exhaustion – especially after 10 years of governing – are increasing. However, no matter what, there are also good deeds they have done," the article reads.
"Here, one of them is what the Parliament Inquiry Commission on Coups and Memorandums has done. Maybe most of us are not aware of it, but with the statement of the head of the commission, Nimet Baş, a brand new era has started in this country. A revolution has been made. For the first time the military has been interrogated and more importantly, a message has been sent to those who would attempt to stage a coup from now on: Guys, if you do, you will be brought to account," the article reads.
"I would like to ask you. Could it have been possible, 10 years ago, to set up such a commission and ask questions there? Whenever I ask this question, the Susurluk Commission comes to my mind. I remember those days when the commanders returned the invitations saying, “How is it possible that you invite us?” We owe a thank you to those who have formed this commission, those who work at the commission and those who go there and answer questions. They have made a tremendous achievement. They have presented a country to our grandchildren where they can live without fear," the author says. "I am so happy to have seen these days."
