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Israel Was Never America's Client

(Foreign Policy) Aaron David Miller - As matters have gotten worse for America in the Arab world, the U.S.-Israel relationship has only grown stronger. Israel's formidable capacity, steadfast support from the U.S., and stunning Arab incapacity have created a situation where Israel is stronger and more secure than it's ever been. Iran's nuclear pretentions remain an acute challenge, and an unresolved Palestinian problem holds longer-term worries. But the notion that the Jewish state is the Middle East's sitting duck has been an illusion for some time now. Israel is a dynamic, resilient, and sovereign nation, and the U.S. needs to realize that, even while the Israelis take our interests into account, their own matter more - particularly when it comes to their security and weapons of mass destruction. Where you stand in life is partly a result of where you sit, and as the small power with little margin for error, Israel is going to make its own decisions on the threats it faces and act unilaterally if necessary to deal with them. Israel was never America's client. On the contrary, we helped enable and empower its independence of action. If Israel acts militarily against Iran because diplomacy can't address its concerns on the nuclear issue, it will be another indication that, as much as we would like to shape what goes on the Middle East, we really can't. We don't live there, and we are clearly unable or unwilling to dictate to those who do. The writer is a distinguished scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
2013-10-18 00:00:00
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