U.S. pilots in the Middle East are increasingly under fire from laser pointers that can impair vision and disrupt flights on both planes and helicopters. Troops across the region have reported over 350 incidents over the past 7 months, marking an increase after a general decline. The dangers laser pointers pose to aircraft has led a number of arrests and bans in the U.S. and other Western countries, but their use remains largely unchecked in the Middle East. 

Source: Laser Beam Attacks Bedevil U.S. Military Pilots in Mideast – WSJ