Charlie StrossApr 14, 2024

Reminder for folks unfamiliar with the geography of Israel: Tel Aviv is on the Mediterranean coast, to reach Tel Aviv the Iranian drones and missiles would first have to cross the entire width of Israel without being intercepted. AFTER crossing the width of Iraq, most of Jordan, and possibly cutting across Saudi Arabia.

This is basically "people in New York not taking shelter immediately after China launches a cruise missile attack from the Pacific."
https://press.coop/@BBCWorld/112266697875777571

BBC News (World) :press: (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image Watch: Tel Aviv residents unfazed by Iran attack threat People were seen drinking in the streets of Tel Aviv despite Iran confirming a drone launch. #press https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68808424?utm_source=press.coop

press.coop
Show threadStephan Schulz
@cstross Sorry, but "the entire width of Israel" at the latitude of Tel Aviv is about the length of Manhattan - even if you count the West Bank, it's the distance between San Francisco and San Jose. Don't you think that makes a bit of a difference?
Apr 14, 2024 at 10:14amWeb
Show threadCharlie StrossApr 14, 2024

@StephanSchulz First they have to cross Iraq and Jordan, which is a *bit* wider.

Also, if the drones were Shahed-136s (as announced) they max out at 115 mph. So about 25 minutes flight time. Plenty of time to finish a drink and stroll to the nearest shelter!

Show threadtudorApr 14, 2024
@cstross @StephanSchulz Also Iraq has the US airforce, Jordan has the Royal Jordanian Air Force, and the IAF also was not waiting at the border, they hunted drones above Jordan and Syria, and ballistic missiles in space.
Show threadStephan SchulzApr 14, 2024
@cstross Well, for one, Iran apparently also fired ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, which are a wee bit faster. And if one is familiar with the geography of Israel, it's pretty clear that location _within_ Israel does not make much of a difference. It's a small and in particular a narrow country.