The current wave of unrest in the Middle East has highlighted the vulnerability of America’s economic, military and strategic interests in the region.
The United States is currently struggling to reconcile its natural desire to support democratic movements throughout the world with its need to rely upon those sometimes autocratic and repressive regimes who support our strategic interests in the region. Nowhere is that struggle more pronounced than in the Middle East, and nowhere else does the United States enjoy the support of a country like Israel.
Regardless of the problems in the Middle East, the United States possesses a number of allies in the region. America’s partnerships with Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan and Saudi Arabia appear to be conditional upon the support of aging monarchs and oligarchs who run repressive and autocratic regimes, denying basic human rights to their people. As we have seen, these regimes can be overthrown quickly and without warning, leaving a void that can and has been filled by anti-American, anti-democratic, theocratic regimes that could do great damage to America’s interests.
America’s unshakable partnership with Israel is based upon a fundamental belief in a democratic political system and a way of life that promotes freedom of opportunity and human rights for all citizens. Changes of government in Israel are peaceful and re-enforce the country’s vitality and democracy. Change in government has never threatened the deep bonds that hold the United States and Israel as dear allies. The complete alignment between shared strategic interests and democratic values is not present anywhere else in the region. This is why the partnership must be strengthened, especially during these turbulent times in the Middle East.
Since the September 11 attacks, the United States has been engaged in a war against Islamic extremists who threaten its very existence. Terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, supported by Iran, sit on Israel’s borders in Gaza and in Southern Lebanon. The state of Israel represents America’s only reliable strategic partner at the forefront of the battle against terrorism. Support for the U.S.-Israel relationship is critical to fighting terrorism and its state sponsors throughout the region. If Israel fails, so do U.S. security interests throughout the Middle East.
No less important to America’s strategic interests is its economic partnership with Israel. In addition to being a valuable trade partner, Israel is America’s critical partner in the areas of innovation, technology and renewable-energy research. America’s dependence on oil is well documented. Some of the greatest economic crises in our history were caused by unreliable governments (including some who we described as “friends”) holding the West ransom over oil. A strong Israel is essential to maintaining U.S. economic interests in the area.
Israel is the only nation the United States can truly rely on and trust in the Middle East to represent its interests militarily, politically and economically. Israel adopts complementary policies and stances and is committed to democracy, human rights, a modern western society and economic growth. Most importantly, Israel is at the forefront — literally — of the war against Islamic extremism and terrorism and stands alongside the United States in efforts to reach the ultimate goal of peace and security in the region. Israel and the United States are natural allies and partners. In times of such uncertainty, this partnership must be kept stronger than ever.
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