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Source: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/04/25/the_ultimate_ally?page=full
The Ultimate Ally: America Needs Israel Now More Than Ever
(Foreign Policy) Michael Oren - On an ideological level, an ally is a country that shares America's values, reflects its founding spirit, and resonates with its people's beliefs. Tactically, an ally stands with the U.S. through multiple conflicts and promotes its global vision. An ally enhances American intelligence and defense capabilities, and provides ports and training for U.S. forces. An ally assists in saving American lives on and off the battlefield. And an ally stimulates the U.S. economy through trade, technological innovation, and job creation. Israel is certainly one of the few countries that fit this description. Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig's observation 30 years ago still resonates today: "Israel is the largest American aircraft carrier in the world that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one American soldier, and is located in a critical region for American national security." For the price of annual military aid equaling roughly the cost of one Zumwalt-class destroyer, the U.S. helps maintain the military might of one of the few nations actively contributing to America's defense. It reinforces the only country capable of deterring Hamas and Hizbullah and impeding the spread of Iranian hegemony. The writer is Israel's ambassador to the U.S.