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The Strategic Clash between the U.S. and China, and Implications for Israel
(Institute for National Security Studies-Tel Aviv University) Assaf Orion - The U.S. has in recent years awoken to find itself surprised and angered by a "lost decade" in Middle East wars, during which it abandoned the stage to China and even assisted its rise. The past decade has also seen rapid growth in China-Israel ties, which have focused on promoting economic and trade relations, while sidestepping differences in political, security, and strategic spheres. While for Israel, China poses a certain security risk, for the U.S., China is the primary threat to its national security: militarily, economically, technologically, strategically and ideologically. It is clear to all parties that defense exports from Israel to China, and even dual use items, are off limits. According to media reports, official U.S. messages to Israel have focused on supervision of foreign investments, Chinese involvement in Haifa port, and bans on China's engagement in future communications infrastructure in Israel. The Israeli government is busy formulating a response, seeking the right balance between economic and security considerations. Israeli policy sees the U.S. as its strategic ally, whereas China is an important trading partner. This means siding with the U.S. in every field necessary, while continuing development of relations with China in all fields possible. Regarding Haifa port, it appears that the administration does not see the threat level as severe as that posed by the other issues, and that possible risks can be managed responsibly and mitigated without canceling the deal. Brig.-Gen. (res.) Assaf Orion served as head of the Strategic Division in the Planning Directorate in the IDF General Staff (2010-2015). He is currently directing the INSS research program on Israel-China.