Are We the Patsy?

Self-Destructive Disparity

Let's talk about Israel for a minute. Recent news is that a famous movie director has been responsible for procuring the materials that were necessary for Israel to successfully build a nuclear weapon. This is the same thing that we are all up in arms over Iran doing. Both are from the same part of the world but Israel is never castigated for its nuclear arsenal (which it refutes) while Iran is driven to economic disaster while it attempts to develop nuclear energy for (it says) peaceful purposes. I have to tell you that I don't believe Israel when it says it does not have nuclear weapons and I don't believe that Iran has no interest in nuclear weapons. That really doesn't bear on my point. My point is the great disparity in the way we treat the two countries that, for some reason, people find hard to discern.

I wonder what it is that requires the United States to support Israel in the way that we do. Our support for that country is such that it often seems that Israel is the only country in the world that is able to write our foreign policy. It is widely recognized that the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is the root source of a large percentage of our difficulty with entities in the Middle East. If the United States could influence Israel to come to some sort of arrangement with the Palestinians most of our problems would disappear. When that happens we would be able to promulgate a foreign policy that would be driven by the needs of our country and one that would be more equitable in its treatment of the rest of the world. It would relieve us of many of our military assignations and allow us to focus on more peaceful pursuits and economic redevelopment. It would also strengthen our voice when we hold ourselves up as an example of democracy in action.

Israel is in a dangerous location. The circumstances that led to the creation of the Israeli nation out of what was Palestinian territory could hardly have been expected to foster amity between the two populations. But then Israel set out upon several wars of expansion which seem to be a part of the goal of expanding Israel all the way to the Jordan River. Many believe that since God gave this land to Israel some 3000 years ago that they are justified in seeking to reclaim it and we are justified in helping. That is a precept that is set in stone for some and therefore not open to debate. Not everyone feels that way and we can argue the theology of that at some other time. Suffice it to be said that Israel has faced an existential threat ever since its current incarnation and still does. There are no shortage of foes who have tried to extinguish Israel from the map and some that still do. It is right that the United States consider Israel as a strategic ally and cover it with our mantle of protection. On the other hand we should be able to expect Israel to do some things that would make it a little easier for us but Israel has hearts of stone when it comes to the needs of the United States. Israel wisely allows for dual citizenship which allows people to be citizens of that country while at the same time being citizens of another. That allows those in other countries to be influential in matters that benefit Israel and the American Israeli Political Action Committee is one of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington D.C. For instance, on the occasion of the negotiated loosening of sanctions on Iran and the vociferous complaints from Israel the Democratic Senator from New York, Chuck Schumer, goes on record as being opposed. Senator Schumer is on almost every issue a firm supporter of the administration but New York has a large Jewish population.

It is without doubt in the interests of the United States to avoid becoming entangled in another war in the Middle East. Our previous ill conceived adventures have cost us trillions in treasure and many thousands of deaths both of our own and others. No, we would prefer that Iran not develop nuclear weapons. As a matter of fact, most of us earnestly desire that no one had such weapons but the United States, Israel, Great Britain, France, Russia, China, North Korea, Pakistan and India all have such weapons and the fear of them has kept us from using them. The assured destruction that would follow largely make them a weapon of self destruction. We could probably expect the same to apply to Iran. While they may seem incomprehensible to us they are not insane. Indications are that they would really prefer larger integration into western society. We would do much better by adopting the method used with China which was active engagement. Mold that society through the use of our economic strengths.

Iran has proven astonishingly resourceful in developing its nuclear program in the face of adversity and it is unlikely we can prevent them from developing nuclear energy to whatever level they choose. Short of a devastating war that is and that would likely do us in too. There are those who would be ecstatic to see the United States develop into a military state on a constant war footing which is about where we are now. We desperately need to turn from that path and focus our energy and talents to efforts that would benefit the American people and the rest of the world. Peace in the Middle East is the key. Some will say that it is impossible since they have already been fighting for thousands of years. My answer is that almost everyone desires peace. It is nations that desire war.

My take is that Israel should be more agreeable considering our sacrifices for that nation. Those countries in that area (Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Bahrain and some others) want to manipulate the United States into providing military might while they feast off our dollars. It's a good deal if you can get it.