Terrorists cant stop Armies, Money and Oil.

[kandrathe]

...  Does anyone have the moral courage to do a "Bottoms Up Review" of the strategic value of Israel as a US ally?  The Defense Department has to do Bottoms Up Reviews frequently, why not State? ...
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I would say that the DOD has a strategic vision that extends beyond election cycles. While DOS does maintain its historical relationships, their friends list changes every four to eight years. But, I'm more struck by the entire concept of "value of Israel", not just strategic and not just as a US ally.

Ally of the US or not, at this point in time Isreal exists, and has the means (nuclear if neccesary) to maintain its territorial position, while it's enemies are tooling to provide either a MAD, or just insane juxtaposition to the IDF. The Palestinians have no political power, other than causing social strife, in which to negotiate with Isreal, while some middle east nations (namely Iran, and Syria) still cling to militarism as a means to pressure Isreal and its defenders (Europe and the US). Would Isreal stand without its defenders? I think so.

Isreal is a bit unique in the region because most of the Isreali's are transplanted Europeans. Their values are European and Hebrew, and not Arabic or Islamic. Their values and culture are more like Europes and the US, rather than middle eastern. There are other such nations in the world (e.g. Liberia) which from a social and political point of view, we can better relate and therefore ally. Maybe our close ties to Isreal have something to do with Henry Kissinger, or other powerful Jewish political leadership. :) When I was younger I never realized he was Jewish, since he always seemed to be an American to me.