Dozens of viewers gathered around screens as a rocket launched from Kodiak Island, Alaska. Much of the hushed conversation was in English. Some, however, was Hebrew. The tension was high as the rocket soared higher and higher until it exited the earth’s atmosphere. Suddenly there was an explosion and everyone who was huddled in the control room . . . cheered. Hands were shaken, backs were slapped. Everybody was elated because the missile had done exactly what it was supposed to do: intercept an enemy target outside the earth’s atmosphere.

At the end of July, the U.S. and Israel held joint tests of the long-range Arrow-3 missile system. Technicians ran three trials against targets designed to simulate enemy ballistic missiles. Three shots, three bulls-eyes.[1] This is a huge step forward for the safety and security of Israel. The Iron Dome defense is fantastic at handling short-range rockets fired across the borders with Gaza, Syria, and other surrounding nations. Medium- to long-range tactical ballistic missiles can be dealt with by the David’s Sling missile system. However, with Iran working on their nuclear program as well as their exo-atmospheric ballistic missiles, a great vulnerability existed for Israel.[2] The Arrow-3 will be able to address this vulnerability by intercepting a nuclear missile launched from Iran even while it is still outside the earth’s atmosphere.

Why is Israel testing a missile system in Alaska? In a word: space. Not space, as in “the final frontier.” Space, as in “it’s just too crowded around the Mediterranean to shoot a rocket.” With all the air traffic flying over the sea and throughout the Middle East, it’s extremely dangerous to run this kind of test.[3] So, it was off to the 49^th state—specifically, an island where there’s next to nothing around but a whole lot of ocean.

The success of this project is a victory for both Israel and the United States. Jointly managed by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the IMDO, a division of the Israeli Defense Ministry, the Arrow-3 saw companies from both nations working together in its development and manufacturing.[4] United States National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted, “Great advancements were made in the long-standing U.S.–Israeli cooperation on missile defense. The successful test was not only a milestone for the national security of both nations, but also helped contribute to regional security in the Middle East.”[5]

God made a promise to Abraham many years ago. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3). It is actions like this that will bring God’s blessing on the United States. For the sake of both these nations that I love and consider to be home, I pray this kind of cooperation will continue.

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[1] Ahronheim, Anna. “Israel, U.S. Carry out Successful Test of Arrow-3 Missile over Alaska.” The Jerusalem Post, 29 July 2019, www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Israel-US-carry-out-successful-test-of-Arrow-3-missile-over-Alaska-596979.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Bolton, John. “Great Advancements Were Made in the Long-Standing U.S.-Israeli Cooperation on Missile Defense. The Successful Test Was Not Only a Milestone for the National Security of Both Nations, but Also Helped Contribute to Regional Security in the Middle East. https://T.co/4kYHhzVisO.” Twitter, 29 July 2019, twitter.com/ambjohnbolton/status/1155961388025516032?s=21.