Jag
4741
That’s roughly when it started, also the whole Suez Canal thing. I don’t think it even became a formal strategic asset until the 80s. Reagan called it an “unsinkable aircraft carrier”. I’ve read that the strategic value far outweighs any aid provided. Also benefits in tech, military work and intelligence.
Perhaps. Certainly during the Cold War, it was a key piece of a potential response to a major conflict with the USSR, and the key to the eastern Med. Today, though, I do wonder what “strategic value” Israel gives us. Without weighing in on whether we should or shouldn’t, our support of Israel undeniably makes it harder for us to deal with the other nations in the region. Again leaving aside anything except what I suppose you could call strategic considerations, clearly for this to be a good deal for us the relationship with Israel has to provide enough benefit to offset the costs. What are those benefits these days?
Basing for a potential conflict in the region? Of course, our relationship with Israel is the most likely reason for such a conflict one could argue, but leaving that aside, the most likely conflict is one with Iran. Given the reluctance of Israel to make itself a target for other peoples’ missiles (who knew?) I kind of wonder whether they would actually let us use bases there. And those wouldn’t be very useful anyhow, unless we had the ok to fly over the other places in between Israel and Iran.
Other than that, what is the strategic value? I can buy the arguments about Israel being a trading partner, a democracy, stable, etc.–all totally legitimate considerations. Limiting it to just pragmatic military/security considerations, the case seems a bit thin. It always was, really; there remained doubt in the Cold War era whether in the the event of a NATO/WP war in Europe Israel would actually let thee US use its territory against the USSR–a small country threatened by nukes might not be eager for that sort of thing.
ShivaX
4743
I suspect a shitload of intelligence.
That said, I also don’t disagree with you.
Yeah, intelligence is always good to have. The Israelis have also always been, shall we say, careful? with what they give us, and what they don’t. Not that I blame them per se, but any source of intel you don’t directly control is always going to be subject to a bunch of caveats.
I do think we need a good relationship with Israel. I just wish it was more of a two-way street.
Has the Islamic party every joined a ruling coalition?
I thought traditional, they never joined.
Nope, this is an historic first.
The only thing uniting these parties is hate of Bebe. Hopefully that is enough.
One wonders what the US RW Islamophobes will do if this happens. Backing Bibi may well have been more about “pwn teh libs” (and the islamophobic grift) than it was actually supporting Israel (what ideas other than American Jihad against Islam do they have? I’m not sold on the 2-state solution working out after the past 25 or so years, but haven’t got a clue as to what could work, but it ain’t my job.
Wasn’t Bibi’s government basically the most partisan in terms of getting involved in US politics?
Good riddance.
Thrag
4750
Let’s not start counting chickens. There’s still time for Likud to rile up an assassin or two.
Pretty close to my thoughts too. IMHO, very counterproductive to what is in Israeli interests.
On the other hand, I do now wonder if a 2 State solution will ever be viable, but I would have no clue what an alternative which doesn’t make things worse would be.
Canuck
4752
Yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it.
This should be interesting.
Timex
4754
I feel like the coalition that has formed against Netanyahu is less about political ideology, and more about rejecting the corruption of Netanyahu himself at this point.
In some ways, this is what we SHOULD have seen with the GOP after the rise of Trump.
Hopefully this fragile government will last long enough for Netanyahu to become irreversibly embroiled with his legal troubles, allowing someone new to take over Likud.
At that point it’s possible we’ll get a new right / center-right government with Bennet and Sa’ar or Lapid joining up with Likud sans Netanyahu.
That was my hope with this situation as well.
CraigM
4758
Man I wish that were actually true.
For real. Don’t threaten me with a good time, Netanyahu!
Menzo
4760
Just like an authoritarian to suggest that normal political maneuvering is “overthrowing” him.
I assume his next move will be to start suggesting that they whole process is illegitimate and fraudulent.
