Ballistic Missile Defense in the Middle East: Theater BMD in the Protection of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan Against Iran, Syria, and Terrorist Groups - Arrow, Iron Dome, and David's Sling Interceptor

This informative report from March 2019 has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Ballistic missile proliferation is a significant concern in the Middle East. Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have closely associated themselves with the United States. These nations are targets of American adversaries such as Iran, Syria, and terrorist groups. Findings of this study revealed the following: First, the U.S.'s role in theater ballistic missile defense (TBMD) development and implementation in the Middle East is defined by its shift of the defense systems from its homeland to the region. Second, the possible avenues that could facilitate the development of a comprehensive and integrated TBMD system include facilities, training, exercises, and logistic support. Third, the current challenges in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan that are hindering the development include financial constraints, obligations associated with the creation of such a defense system, domestic politics, foreign policy, inefficiency associated with such a system, and strategic asymmetries. Fourth, the following vital ways these countries could cooperate include the transfer of advanced defense technologies, enhanced operational coordination, multilateral planning, alliance coordination mechanism, and intelligence and surveillance sharing.

This compilation includes a reproduction of the 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.

Over the past three decades, two constant issues have served as continuous determinants of security in the Middle East. The first issue is the region's persistent pursuit of peace. The second issue is perceptions of threat in the region as countries strive against each other for greater influence. Consequently, anxiety about their neighbors has spurred countries to develop and execute plans for modernization and acquisition of arms, as well as to conduct defense-related preparations. Ballistic missile proliferation is a field in which this trend has become quite evident. This study aims to demonstrate the significant role of theater ballistic missile defense (TBMD) in ensuring the protection and security of three Middle East states: Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. In addition, the findings of this study are be essential in providing guidance concerning the development of strategies to enhance TBMD in the region. This research discusses the key security challenges that the ballistic missiles pose to the Middle East region and their impact on a regional missile defense architecture. The security situation in the Middle East is characterized by considerable hostility; however, the first Gulf War (1990-1991) was a turning point that changed the nature of the security conditions in the region. The first Gulf War was characterized by extreme political and military tensions, which were high enough to create a number of social and security risks in the region. Consequently, the Arab-Israeli confrontation was no longer the main source of conflict in the region. Specifically, the importance of TBMD emerged as a prevailing threat in the region.