Israel-U.S. relations frayed over Middle East threats
JERUSALEM – A draft deal with Iran on its nuclear program that Israel asserted would imperil its very existence is the latest sign that Israel and longtime ally the United States are as far apart as ever on how to deal with growing threats in the Middle East.
Analysts say the Obama administration needs to take Israel's fears seriously, while the White House insists it is doing what is best for the security of Israel, the United States and the Middle East.
Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. peace negotiator who has advised Democratic and Republican secretaries of state, said the rift may cause problems for the United States on multiple fronts, including a risk of dragging the United States into war with Iran.
"How this will play out is not clear," Miller said. "I find it almost unimaginable this administration would conclude even an interim agreement with (Iranian President Hassan) Rouhani that left Israel angry and aggrieved and the relationship in even worse shape."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/11/10/israel-us-relations-iran/3488455/
= new reply since forum marked as read
Now, I know, some readers may follow the belief that Israel "owns" the United States somehow. Sadly it's a pretty common perspective among critics of Israel, but... it's wrong. In fact, more than just wrong, it's backwards. Israel is a tool in the US' middle east gift-basket, the stick that we hold alongside the carrot of Saudi Arabia (who, interestingly, is also accused of "owning" the United States.)
This claim comes from two factors - one, the heavy funding we give either nation, and two, the blind eye with whichwe treat their exceses and violations. Oh, you'll see Kerry wagging his finger about settlements, or Clinton about women drivers, but we're not going to DO anything (yet.) See, the thing is, both nations use all that money they get, to basically party hearty. Israel uses it to expand further upon the Palestinians, and the Saudis chuck it into military hardware they can't use. Both are examples of living beyond their means, and in both cases, the practice makes these governments more dependent on American funding. They could stop their spiraling, but it's easier to keep digging than to climb out of the hole.
Which of course, means the US has power over them both. What is Israel going to do if we snub Tel Aviv to make up with Tehran? Is Israel going to break away from the United States? It won't align with Russia, since Russia's position is against the hedonism of Israeli foreign policy. China? China just wants trade, and with Japan and South Korea right there, Israel's one valuable commodity, their tech market, is a lot less valuable. And it's not as if Israel can go it alone in its current state. No, Israel is going to huff, and it's going to puff, and it's going to cash that check from Uncle Sam and shut the fuck up.
Maybe back in the cold War, the US would have given a damn if Tel Aviv got pouty over something (big maybe, since the USSR aligned with Egypt / Syria / Iraq early on and wasn't really an option for a spurned Israel) But these days? Nah, Israel can sniffle about Us policy all it wants, but US policy isn't going to change for Israel.
