A new report by a panel commissioned by the Israeli Ministry of Defense concludes that Israel faces an unprecedented threat and will need additional airpower and missile defenses. The report notes that for the first time Israel faces a low-intensity local conflict (with the Palestinians) that could escalate within 24-48 hours into a regional conflict involving long-range missiles carrying weapons of mass destruction. The report insisted that Israel must control airspace within 350km of its borders and be able to strike targets at will within 700km.--Stephen V Cole