Why Israel is still considered a "strategical ally" of the USA

Squonk · Jul 6, 2011

I do sort of understand it when it comes to the communist times: Israel was a proxy to "punish" the pro-eastern Arab states and, by its military superiority, show them that relying on USSR will get them nowhere. That was the official reason, and there was some truth in it (it sort of worked in Egypt's case) although USA's support of Israel made Arabs even more anti-USA and was pushing them into USSR's orbit... so it worked both ways, and mostly to USA's disadvantage. But now? Israel clearly profits from the alliance with USA. But what does USA get from it? Is there some actual reason, or is it just a matter of tradition and significance of jewish population in New York and Florida? To me, Israel looks like a liability to USA more than a crucial ally. Perhaps it can provide USA with some intelligence information which is useful in countering terrorists... But again, it's the support of USA for Israel that makes USA the prime target of the terrorists in the first place, so the alliance with Israel can at best diminish the negative effects of... the alliance with Israel.

Moderator Action: Red Diamond thread from post #252 onwards.

civver_764 · Jul 6, 2011

First of all, don't kid yourself. The USA doesn't care about terrorism.

And there's a lot of wealth to be had in the Middle East. Having a lapdog like Israel there makes things easier.

RedRalph · Jul 6, 2011

While they are no longer that much of a valuble strategic ally, dropping them would be catastrophic for the US.

Dreadnought · Jul 6, 2011

Typically, in diplomacy as well as life, it's a good idea to honor agreements you have made, and keep friends close to you.

tycoonist · Jul 6, 2011

The US government has spent so long convincing Americans that Israel is a goodie, that they can't possibly call them a baddie.

ParadigmShifter · Jul 6, 2011

It's a vote winner.

civver_764 · Jul 6, 2011

Dreadnought said:
Typically, in diplomacy as well as life, it's a good idea to honor agreements you have made, and keep friends close to you.

Especially if those friends kill innocent people en masse.

Squonk · Jul 6, 2011

Dreadnought said:
Typically, in diplomacy as well as life, it's a good idea to honor agreements you have made, and keep friends close to you.

Agreements expire. And no other friend is kept so close.

RedRalph said:
While they are no longer that much of a valuble strategic ally, dropping them would be catastrophic for the US.

why so?

The US government has spent so long convincing Americans that Israel is a goodie, that they can't possibly call them a baddie.

the change in attitude doesn't have to be as complete and doesn't have to be made overnight. The reasons to call Israel strategical ally ceased to exist 20 years ago... and there's no difference in the language, if not to the contrary.

Ajidica · Jul 6, 2011

No real benefit, besides being a vote winner as PShifter already said. All a politician has to say is "I support Israel against terrorist organizations that seek to undermine her defenses and security" and that politician just got some easy votes without having to actualy do anything.

innonimatu · Jul 6, 2011

Then answer to the OP is easy: countries don't have allies, people do. Explore that and you'll find why alliances in general tend to last longer that they otherwise would. But sometimes they also fall apart suddenly for the very same reason. It's not about what would further the power of the nations involved (what's that anyway?), it's about what furthers the goals of the ruling elites involved.

Terxpahseyton · Jul 6, 2011

I think it is about the message such a drop would send. Israel is a firm and long-time-ally of the USA. To just drop such an ally would be an immense sign of weakness and could make adversaries more daring in their dealings with the US. Especially because of public opinion and the Jewish lobby. Both are good incentives to stay true to their commitment, if the US dropped Israel nevertheless, it would appear like their whole world domination system was about to crumple.
How nations perceive and even more importantly believe other nations to perceive the geopolitical situation is an important factor I imagine. A mass-psychological effect resulting in attitudes, ambitions and very real actions.

Earthling · Jul 6, 2011

Squonk said:
But what does USA get from it? Is there some actual reason, or is it just a matter of tradition and significance of jewish population in New York and Florida?

Not just that on those sort of reasons, the assumption that it will help Jesus come back isn't to be understated.

ParadigmShifter · Jul 6, 2011

Isn't Jesus coming back a sign of SRS BZNS?

SG-17 · Jul 6, 2011

Why shouldn't we support our 52nd state?

ParadigmShifter · Jul 6, 2011

Who is the 51st state?

Oh, I know...

Link to video.

civver_764 · Jul 6, 2011

SiLL said:
To just drop such an ally would be an immense sign of weakness

I fail to see how. It would an immense sign of not tolerating human rights violations. The USA could finally practice what it preaches.

amadeus · Jul 6, 2011

Follow the money:

A summary of pro-Israel campaign donations for the period of 19902008 collected by Center for Responsive Politics indicates current totals and a general increase in proportional donations to the US Republican party since 1996.[45] The Washington Post summarized earlier, 19902006, data and concluded that "Pro-Israel interests have contributed $56.8 million in individual, group and soft money donations to federal candidates and party committees since 1990."[46] In contrast, Arab-Americans and Muslim PACs contributed slightly less than $800,000 during the same (19902006) period.[47]

J.J. Goldberg wrote in his 1994 book Jewish Power that 45% of the Democratic Partys fundraising and 25% of that for the Republican Party came from Jewish-funded Political Action Committees.[48] Richard Cohen, a columnist for the Washington Post, updated those figures in 2006 citing figures of 60% and 35% respectively for the Democratic and Republican Parties. According to the Washington Post, Democratic presidential candidates depend on Jewish sources for 60% of money from private sources.[49]

Link

Terxpahseyton · Jul 6, 2011

civver_764 said:
I fail to see how. It would an immense sign of not tolerating human rights violations. The USA could finally practice what it preaches.

Well in a world where human rights actually a leading factor in foreign policy, you are right, it would not have to be a sign weakness. However...

Dachs · Jul 6, 2011

SiLL said:
Well in a world where human rights actually a leading factor in foreign policy, you are right, it would not have to be a sign weakness. However...

Also, we'd need a replacement.

innonimatu · Jul 6, 2011

civver_764 said:
I fail to see how. It would an immense sign of not tolerating human rights violations. The USA could finally practice what it preaches.

Why should the pot call out the kettle?

Dachs said:
Also, we'd need a replacement.

Just take the UK. It'd be more useful and overall neater. Of course, they may still be objecting to play that role for their own former colonists... (or is it colonials?)

Why Israel is still considered a "strategical ally" of the USA

Deity

Deity

Deity

Deity

Deity

Random Nonsense Generator

Deity

Deity

High Quality Person

the resident Cassandra

Nobody

Deity

Random Nonsense Generator

Deity

Random Nonsense Generator

Deity

Apply directly to the forehead

Nobody

Hero of the Soviet Union

the resident Cassandra

Similar threads