Bush has been Israel's uncritical friend and unswerving proxy warrior in the region

OP-ED: "Israel Is Now America's Closest Ally," by Michael Oren, Wall Street Journal, 7 May 2008, p. A19.

The problem is, what has the last seven years got us, and are we looking for more of the same with McCain, pictured here as natural heir apparent.

But hard to argue with success. As Oren notes, more than 70% of Americans favor robust ties with Israel.

Of course, the same 70-plus percent probably want out of Iraq too.

Nice historical piece by Oren. His book on America's relations with the Middle East over the past 250 or so years was really great.

Comments

[Wiredman]

I would think that 100% of Americans want us out of Iraq. The difference is that 70% want out without regard to victory, or a stable Iraq or a lasting positive American influence in the Middle East. 30% of Americans understand that all those things are important to accomplish before leaving Iraq.

I would like to understand the 30% of Americans who do not support Israel. Why can't they support a free people with a democracy? I wonder sometimes.

[stuart abrams]

Why is Israel always defined as America's "ally"? I think of "allies" as being countries that fight together in a war, or have some agreement to provide mutual military assistance in the event of a war. When has Israel sent troops to fight side-by-side with American troops in a war? Israel did not send troops to Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, the Balkans, Somalia, the 2 Iraq wars, Afghanistan. Of course, there are perfectly sensible reason why Israel did not do so. And, there are also perfectly sensible reasons why the US should provide extensive military aid to Israel. But I have always been uncomfortable with the description of Israel as America's "ally" - I don't think the term accurately describes the relationship.

[hof]

Key words - uncritical. Were we uncritical of Britain during WWII? Nope. Went toe to toe with them over issues.

Unswerving - Are we unswerving allies of Taiwan? Nope. They don't get to declare global Armageddon on our behalf or commit us to war.

This administration has been uncritical and unswerving, which doesn't serve the US or Israel very well. Realpolitik would serve both of us better.