U.S. Curbs Israeli Role in F-35 Plane Development

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has curbed Israel's involvement in development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the biggest warplane program ever, because of its arms deals with China opposed by Washington, U.S. defense officials said on Friday.

"There are some types of technology and information involved in the Joint Strike Fighter that we are not comfortable sharing until we resolve the technology and security issues," an official, who declined to be named, said.

The United States and Israel have been odds for years over advanced technology transfers to China. Washington fears some sales could tilt the balance of power and make it more difficult to defend Taiwan, which Beijing deems a renegade province.

In recent months, Pentagon leaders have been angered in particular by what they consider an upgrading of spare parts for China's fleet of Israeli-supplied Harpy attack drones.

"Technology has made its way inappropriately to China via Israel," the official said. "There have been many violations of technology transfer agreements."

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=8199851&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

[Malva Zebrina]

1. funny

I have never thought that the US and Israel have ever been "at odds" over anything.

What? Is the US ready to abandon it's support of Israel over this little quarrel? I don't think so.

[fedsron2us]

3. It appears Israel has been selling US technology to China

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=674555

[Roland99]

2. Wasn't AIPAC's influence scaled back the other day, too?

I smell smokescreen.

[Voltaire99]

4. Daddy took their T-Bird away

That'll show them!

For, oh, 5 seconds.