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Dispelling the Myth that Israel Is the Largest Beneficiary of U.S. Military Aid
(Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies-Bar-Ilan University) Hillel Frisch - Countless articles discrediting Israel note that Israel receives the bulk of U.S. military aid. But the numerical figure of $3.1 billion, while reflecting official direct military aid, is almost meaningless compared to the real costs of U.S. military aid abroad. There are 150,500 American troops stationed in 70 countries that cost the American taxpayer an annual $85-100 billion, according to David Vine, a professor at American University and author of a book on the subject. Once the real costs are calculated: The largest aid recipient is Japan, where 48,828 U.S. military personnel are stationed at a cost of $27 billion. Germany, with 37,704 U.S. troops, receives aid equivalent to $21 billion; South Korea, with 27,553 U.S. troops, receives $15 billion; and Italy receives at least $6 billion. Kuwait and Bahrain, whose American bases are home to over 5,000 U.S. military personnel apiece, receive military aid almost equal to what Israel receives. U.S. air and naval forces constantly patrol the Northern, Baltic, and China Seas to protect American allies in Europe and in the Pacific - at American expense. By contrast, no U.S. plane has ever flown to protect Israel's airspace. No U.S. Navy ship patrols to protect Israel's coast. And while in many countries U.S. troops act as a vulnerable trip-wire, no U.S. military personnel are put at risk to ensure Israel's safety. Moreover, 74% of military aid to Israel is spent on American arms, equipment, and services. Under the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, that figure will be changed to 100%. The writer is a professor of political and Middle East studies at Bar-Ilan University and a senior research associate at its BESA Center.