Reply With QuoteFor not knowing much, you seem to know all the negatives real or BS. Your question seems more like some kind of bait. Are you related to Mr. Neilson?Originally Posted by Jackal01400
US/Israel Relations..?
Hey
Recently a couple of friend and I were discussing military/politics and eventually came to the relationship the United States has with Israel. I kept my mouth shut because I really don't know much about it. My lack of knowledge has sparked curiosity and am now wondering (as it seems) why does America help and support Israel so much. From what I've heard, America gives hundreds of millions $$ to Israel on top of millions worth of military technologies and weapons. I have also read that there were Israeli spies captured in the US several years ago and they also have been selling American military technology to eastern countries (China..). Besides that I saw that they sell back military technology(weapons..) the United States has paid for or gave to them.
I just am wondering that if my facts are correct, then what is the purpose of America keeping such a costly alliance. How much aid has Israel given to the US (no sarcasm)?
Thanks
Kevin
For not knowing much, you seem to know all the negatives real or BS. Your question seems more like some kind of bait. Are you related to Mr. Neilson?
Hold your horses Hollis.. Lets see if this thread pans out to something informative.
Im also curious to hear peoples opinions and input on the matter, since I also have wondered about US/Israeli relations once in a while..
Cheers
Andreas
Just got this straight from Wikipedia. I'm sure it isn't everything you were looking for but there is a lot there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel-...ates_relations
http://www.policyalmanac.org/world/a...elations.shtml
Last edited by FuturPJ; 12-30-2007 at 04:43 PM.
Well yes this might be bait, but im interested about this topic too, and would be nice to read from american or israeli members more... Of course I (and Jackal) would try to google, but it's always nice to read it straight from mp.net
There is a lot more anti-Israel/US spin out there than anything else. So be careful.
The main reasons to support Israel are is that the US won sit by and let the world burn all the Israelis and Israel is also on the front lines of the War on Terror.
AIPAC is very effective at keeping Congress in line on this issue:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIPAC
Someone posted this a while back: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1990/BCE.htm
Jackal, all I'll say is watch yourself. Certain things are not up for discussion. This is a private site as stated in the Rules.
Damn, I know this is a minefield.
Whatever I say will be rebutted by all sides.
However here's my best shot, and I'll shut up for the rest of this thread.
US interests in Israel started as an offshoot of the Cold War. As the British Empire began to get smaller, the US tried to fill in the vacuum as much as possible. As a result the US was the first government to recognize Israel.
1956 Suez Crisis was a watershed event when Eygpt took over the Suez canal triggering a military responce from France, Great Britian and Israel. However they were diplomatically pressured by the US to withdrawl. As an unintended consequence, the Arab Nationalist were emboldened in Eygpt, Syria, Iraq and others became more or less Soviet client states.
Keep in mind that Israel was not the only country of interest for the US. In 1957 the US provided assitance to King Hussien of Jordan in the wake of anti-government riots and in 1958 the US deployed US Marines to Lebanon to counter Soviet backed aggresion from Syria.
However the full military and economic support did not kick in until 1969 during the Nixon years in the wake of the French boycott of arms to Israel. Thus solidifying US commitment in Israel for many decades as a counterweight to Soviet agression in the region.
Much of the aid provided was also tied with the Camp David Peace accords between Sadat and Begin.
Here are some quick numbers
US aid to Israel (2005 Figures)
US aid to Eygpt
- $4 Billion in military grants
- $660 Billion in economic aid
- $8 Billion in economic loan guarantees
- $2.1 Billion in military aid
US aid to Jordan
- $25 Billion in economic aid 1975-02
- $1.3 Billion in military aid
(Source: The State of the Middle East Atlas, Dan Smith 2006)
- $9 Billion since 1952
Last edited by Ordie; 12-30-2007 at 05:37 PM. Reason: Spelling
I dont know much about this topic either. I hope people keep in the lines in this thread I would really like to learn more.
That is not a bad summary Ordie
True, if it wasn't for the cold war, things might have been a lot different. Israel is politically more line with the socialist government than with the US.
Sadly too many people are still fighting the cold war or the myths of the cold war.
Genesis (12:3)
along what you post alot people in the middle east and some in the west never got over the israel victory in the 1967 war
US foreign policy does what is best for the country and the people who control it and that means making strategic alliances for resources and playing sides up against each others. Hence we are quite happy in the US to arm Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan and have provided arms in the past to Iran and a whole host of countries were it has been able to influence them to get things we want out their countries. That is how things work. You get advantages from providing a few things and the key is to get the most back for as little expenditure.
Sometimes that causes wars, but usually thats okay too, as it allows force projection and industrial advantages.
Posting Permissions
