WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is sincere in his hard-driving determination to boost Israel's ballistic missile defenses as quickly as possible. But he also sees that achievement as a stepping stone to two other huge goals -- becoming prime minister and reviving the long-moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

HAIFA, Israel, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Israel Defense Forces brass are expected to debate funding allocations for a comprehensive, multi-year plan for the various branches this week, following the agreement on a $3 billion American aid package.

JERUSALEM, July 18 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert said the prime minister knew Israeli bomb shelters were inadequate when he decided to go to war with Lebanon.

JERUSALEM, May 8 (UPI) -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has asked current Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign his post for mishandling of the Second Lebanon War.

JERUSALEM, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Israeli cabinet members Sunday unanimously approved Gabi Asheknazi's appointment as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces.

JERUSALEM, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz chose Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi to replace Lt. Gen Dan Halutz as chief of staff.

JERUSALEM, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- The resignation of Israel's military chief of staff Wednesday was heralded by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement as proof of victory in last summer's war.

JERUSALEM, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, who commanded Israeli forces during last year's war in Lebanon, resigned Tuesday as army chief of staff.

TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The Israeli Defense Forces chief of staff told the country's Cabinet Sunday that talk of an imminent war with Syria is "premature and exaggerated."