Posted: 9/16/2019 Updated: 9/19/2019
Update As Of 9/19/2019
I am a great fan of Mr. Rubin. He is very smart, usually well informed, and I largely agree with most of his commentaries. However, in this case he errs fundamentally! He correctly identifies and fully acknowledges the many benefits of the American Israeli partnership since 1948.
As I understand his main arguments are as follows (emphasis added):
“It is unlikely, however, Israel could have launched either attack [2007 airstrike on Syria’s undeclared nuclear site; Israel’s 1981 strike on the Osirak nuclear reactor] —and countless other operations about which the American public has never heard—had it had a mutual defense treaty with the United States. Nor is such a treaty necessary for Israel’s defense”
“Israel has also survived for decades absent it when countries with which it now has peace like Egypt and Jordan, or de facto peace like Saudi Arabia and the other Arab Gulf states, were hellbent on its destruction. It survived both the Six-day War and the Yom Kippur War.”
“Why not formalize the informal, however? The answer is simple: A formal defense treaty between Jerusalem and Washington would tie Israel’s hands.”
“Even if U.S. authorities approved any operation—a process which could cost valuable hours or days—the notoriously leaky culture of the Pentagon and U.S. intelligence community makes trust in U.S. discretion increasingly impossible.”
I think, Mr Rubin here lacks some serious imagination. Not it would not tie Israel’s hands if the defense treaty is carefully crafted! Israel could largely be trusted to do military strikes on its own. It has proven again and again that Israel’s strikes were well measured and very reasonable! I would also imagine that an ally like Israel would be extremely cautious to go alone or choose to seek the consent of its ally first! That Israel survived the onslaught of its many enemies for decades is a very weak non sequitur argument!
About the leaky Pentagon or intelligence services, it is high time that any leaks are prosecuted immediately and much more harshly than in the past! Cases like the very dangerous and irresponsible Bradley Edward Manning or Edward Snowden should end up in front of a firing squad after found guilty of treason!
Original Post
Since the Arab and Muslim/Iran countries are not willing to sign peace treaties with Israel since 1948, this might be a good option. Arab/Muslim/Iran countries have harassed Israel for decades politically and militarily (e.g. boycotts, sanctions against countries or companies that do business with Israel etc.).
Israel has been under constant siege by its Arab/Muslim/Iranian neighbors since 1948. Israel is surrounded by roughly 60-100 million potential enemies.
Therefore, a mutual defense agreement between the most powerful nation on earth and David makes a whole lot of sense. It only confirms the status quo that has existed for several decades. Israel is a highly advanced country with a very prosperous economy and with a superior intelligence service, all of which have and will continue to benefit the U.S. in many ways.
President Trump has already demonstrated his guts when it comes to Israel by defying and smashing the too convenient so called conventional wisdom of international diplomacy. Will Trump go further ...
Sources (S):
Trump says he’s willing to consider a mutual defense treaty with Israel (9/15/19)
