Israel and the United States: From Asset to Burden
The Revealed Dependency on U.S. Support
start of the significant aspects revealed by the ongoing conflict is Israel’s dependency on the United States. Amid criticism of the Biden administration’s restrictive policies, it is easy to overlook the critical support provided immediately following the events of October 7. President Biden’s stern warnings to Hezbollah and Iran, coupled with the deployment of aircraft carriers to the region, served as a fundamental support for Israel’s military operations. This American backing was crucial, as the conflict could have evolved differently without such immediate U.S. support. Throughout the war, the consistent supply of military hardware and political backing from the U.S. has been indispensable for Israel’s ability to maintain its combat efforts. American forces even actively participated alongside Israel in missile defense against Iranian attacks. It is evident to anystart observing the Middle East that Israel is reliant on the United States for security and military strength.
Historical Context of U.S.-Israel Relations
The relationship between Israel and the U.S. has always been shaped by necessity. Surrounded by numerous threats, and facing considerable political hostility globally, Israel has historically formed alliances with major powers to counteract these challenges. From the 1950s and early 1960s when France was a key ally, to the more recent unwavering support from the U.S. since the late 1960s, this partnership has provided Israel with significant technological, military, economic, and diplomatic advantages. However, this alliance also obligates Israel to align with America’s global interests. A wise Israeli leader must navigate these complexities while combining national interests effectively.
Current Strategic Challenges
The perception that the U.S. is acting independently of or in opposition to Israeli interests stems from Israel’s lack of a coherent strategy since the beginning of this conflict, aside from the desire for a “total victory” over Hamas. This has shifted Israel from being seen as a stable ally in the region to a potential burden for the U.S. Despite Biden’s strategy aiming for a decisive geopolitical victory, Israel remains focused solely on achieving a total military win in Gaza.
The arrival of President Trump in the White House underscored the dynamics of this relationship. Alongside his enthusiastic declarations of support for Israel, his administration was marked by a number of isolationist appointments. Trump, who demonstrated a tendency to issue threats without genuine interest in prolonged conflicts-viewing wars as a waste of resources-also showed no inclination to engage in military action against Iran, favoring negotiations instead.
Opportunities Missed
Israel had the opportunity to leverage Trump’s presidency to establish agreements with Arab nations, including Syria, under conditions that may have been more unfavorable under Biden. Instead, Israel focused solely on military assistance from Biden and showed reluctance to participate in Trump’s broader Middle Eastern peace initiatives. This self-restriction has limited Israel’s strategic options, even impacting efforts related to hostage situations arising from the conflict.
Ironically, the current disconnect between U.S. and Israeli strategies is not solely a product of the Biden administration or Trump but results mainly from an Israeli government that has not facilitated American actions that align with Israel’s strategic necessities.
In summary, as the conflict continues, the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, characterized by dependencies and strategic misalignments, remains at the forefront of discussions in international policy circles