Ties with Israel - What's in it for the US?

1. US-Israel People-to-People relations do not evolve around the Oslo Process, but rather around Shared values, Joint regional interests and Mutual regional threats. Israel has been a democratic, able, willing and efficient ally in the context of conflicts between the US and radical regimes, irrespective of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Mideast radicals have viewed the US as "the great Satan," and Israel as its outpost. There is no zero-sum game between US ties with Israel and its ties with the Arabs, as evidenced by the 1991 Gulf War, and accentuated since the demise of the USSR. The US has been Israel's sole effective ally!
    

2. Israel's bombing of Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981, provided the US with the conventional option against Saddam in the 1991 Gulf War. It spared the US a horrific nuclear war, along with its massive human losses and mega billion dollar cost.
    

3. Israel shared with the US military tactics and technologies, which devastated Soviet-made Syria's air force and air defense systems in 1982, thus saving the US a few billion dollar R&D and vital time. It eroded Soviet posture, while enhancing that of the US.
    

4. Acquiescing to President Nixon's 1970 request, Israel mobilized its regular and reservist units, rolling back (pro-USSR) Syrian invasion of (pro-US) Jordan. It prevented the downfall of King Hussein and a radical pro-Soviet domino scenario into Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States and Egypt, with its devastating energy repercussions. Thus, flexing Israel's military muscle, spared the US the need to deploy its already-stretched forces, during the Vietnam and Cambodia Wars, which could've caused another USSR-USA confrontation. Israel's posture of deterrence and intelligence-gathering capabilities have foiled a number of attempts on the lives of President Sadat, King Hussein and a number of moderate Gulf leaders. It has inhibited the radicalism of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya, in a most volatile region, vital to the US.
    

5. Israel's battle experience has been shared with the US military, thus saving American lives. Israeli-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicles performed in the Gulf War, Somalia and Bosnia. Israeli fuel tanks have extended flying range of US aircraft, and its night targeting, missile guidance and reactive armor systems enhanced US performance against Saddam's military. Ordering new parts and units from US defense manufacturers, Israel has provided them with a unique multibillion dollar battle-proven, cost-effective, time efficient, job-creating R&D. It has provided the US military with upgraded military systems. Israel's use of defense products has constituted an effective marketing multiplier for US exports.
    

6. Israel has been a role-model in countering terrorism, providing the US with unique intelligence, operational, R&D and scientific data (e.g., explosive and finger prints detection and identification). Israel has been one of five US allies partaking in the Technical Support Working Counter-Terrorism Group.
    

7. The US-Israel Arrow project has been a most advanced missile defense system, in face of a growing ballistic threat to Western Democracies. Both have also cooperated in the Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) and the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) projects. Israel has provided the US with unique intelligence on Iraq's non-conventional military effort and on Iran-Russia ballistic, nuclear and biochemical cooperation.
    

8. Some $100BN per annum, and tens of thousand US servicemen, would be required to replace Israel's strategic contribution (deterrence, intelligence, R&D, joint exercises, operations, runways, ports, prepositioning, US-class military hospitals, etc.) in the eastern flank of the Mediterranean and the Mideast. Al Haig referred to Israel as a the largest pro-US aircraft carrier, which doesn't require US personnel, and can't be sunk. Maj. Gen'l George Keegan, former Dir. of Air Force Intelligence suggested that Israel equals five CIAs in terms of intelligence-sharing and power projection. US military presence in Europe and Far East requires over one hundred thousand GIs and $100BN and $30BN respectively.
    

9. US-Israel Binational Industrial R&D (BIRD) Foundation prides itself with a return of over $2BN in sales, by US companies, to a $75MN one time US investment. The US-driven Israeli high-tech industry has provided the US - via strategic alliances and M&As - with breakthrough technologies, creating more jobs in the US and enhancing US' competitive edge. The Binational Agricultural R&D (BARD) Foundation has provided the US with a similar benefit ($200MN annual saving to the US poultry industry, etc.) from a $75MN one-time US investment. US-Israel AID-directed collaboration in the third world (CDR and CDP) has enhanced their position there.
    

10. Bolstered ties with the US has always been the most crucial goal of Israel's international relations, enthusiastically supported by the Israeli electorate. On the other hand, Arab and European countries have subordinated their ties with the US to inter-Arab, regional, global, domestic and economic concerns, thus undermining their cooperation with the US against terrorism, Iran, Iraq and ballistic missiles.
     

11. While the Soviet threat required a strategic response, the demise of the USSR has produced a multitude of regional-tactical threats. Israel possesses unique tactical capabilities, which directly address these new regional-tactical threats.
     

12. Israel's ports of Haifa and Ashdod have become more important than European ports, since the demise of the Soviet threat and the emergence of Mideast and Gulf threats, to the US. Israeli air strips, prepositioning sites and training grounds have become more vital than those in Europe. Sixth Fleet sailors find Haifa to be the safest port in the Mediterranean. The rate of US-Israel mutual military visitations has been higher than any other US ally.
     

13. In 1991 Israel deferred to the US, restraining itself in face of Saddam's missiles. It was done in spite of its own military capabilities (Defense Minister Arens was ready to act!), and despite the damage to Israel's own posture of deterrence and to its national psyche: Two critical elements in the brutal Mideast.