IDF Chief of Intelligence Major-General Aviv Kochavi left for Washington DC this week where he will be discussing the threat facing Israel posed by the Russian built S-300 advanced anti-aircraft system. The system was sold to Syria. Israel vows not to permit the system to become operational.

Kochavi will be meeting with heads of military intelligence to discuss the situation along Israel’s northern border as well as trying to synchronize positions regarding the S-300 system.

While both Israel and the United States opposed the sale of the system to Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains that since the system is defensive and not offensive, he is not compromising Israel’s military edge by permitting Syria to receive the system.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)