The significant U.S. security assistance provided to Israel is a strategic investment that yields substantial returns for American national security, rather than a one-sided charitable act, argues former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland.
In an opinion piece published by Fox News, Sondland contends that the roughly $3.8 billion in annual security aid to Israel, while seemingly large, represents less than half of 1% of the U.S. defense budget. He asserts that this investment is remarkably inexpensive when considering the strategic advantages it provides to the United States. Israel offers a unique combination of advanced intelligence capabilities, battlefield-tested military technology, cybersecurity expertise, missile defense development, and technological innovation, all situated in a volatile region.
Sondland traces the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance from its early recognition in 1948 through its evolution into a modern partnership during the Cold War and its expansion in counter-terrorism efforts. He highlights Israel's role as a dependable democratic partner and an indispensable ally in confronting Iran, developing advanced missile defenses, countering cyber threats, and fostering regional cooperation through initiatives like the Abraham Accords.
Strategic Returns for U.S. Security
The article details the tangible benefits the U.S. receives from this alliance. Israeli intelligence is credited with aiding in the exposure of terrorist plots, monitoring Iran's nuclear and military programs, and disrupting weapons trafficking. Joint research has led to advancements in missile defense systems such as Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow. Cooperation in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, unmanned aircraft, and battlefield medicine strengthens both nations' militaries. Sondland points out that Israel often encounters emerging threats before they reach U.S. forces, allowing the United States to adapt its own technologies and tactics without the costly experience of learning on future battlefields.
Furthermore, a significant portion of the U.S. security assistance is reinvested into the American economy through the purchase and co-production of U.S. defense systems, supporting American jobs and the defense industrial base. Israel is thus not just a recipient of aid but an active contributor to U.S. security, technological leadership, and military readiness.
A Durable Democracy in a Volatile Region
Beyond military and intelligence cooperation, Sondland emphasizes Israel's unique position as the Middle East's only durable liberal democracy. He contrasts Israel's electoral system, independent judiciary, and free press with the authoritarian regimes prevalent in the surrounding region. Arab citizens, he notes, participate fully in Israeli society.
Sondland acknowledges that the alliance is not without its disagreements and that friends should be able to offer candid criticism. However, he distinguishes between correcting an ally and abandoning one, stating that mature alliances are rooted in enduring strategic interests. He posits that the absence of Israel would lead to increased Iranian dominance, emboldened extremist movements, the loss of a critical security partner for moderate Arab governments, and a more dangerous Middle East requiring greater U.S. military engagement.
Ultimately, Sondland argues that the cost of maintaining the current alliance with Israel is far less than the potential cost of trying to replace the strategic advantages it provides. He concludes that the U.S.-Israel partnership, measured by its long-term return on investment, remains one of America's most valuable foreign policy decisions.