Analysts refer to this as a “shadow war” or the “war between the war,” but it does not seem like a fair fight. In recent years, they have been striking the Iranians at will whether in Syria, Iraq, or Iran itself. The threat is real, and the Israelis have proven themselves adept at meeting it. Of course, Iran remains a significant challenge for Israel. Of Israel’s remaining Arab adversaries, Syria is devastated by a decade of civil war, Iraq remains unstable and inwardly focused, and others remain too far away and are incapable of threatening Israeli security. And in one of the most unexpected developments in the Middle East in 2022, Lebanon and Israel established a maritime border and are partners of sorts in the exploitation of natural gas reserves off their shared coastline.

Turkey and Israel reconciled after years of estrangement. Qatar allows Israeli diamond traders to do business in Doha, and Oman has recently agreed to open its airspace to Israel’s airliners.Īlong with its Arab partners, the United States, and Europe, Israel has managed to marginalize the Palestinian question. The Israelis also have informal ties with Saudi Arabia. It has normal relations with Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. Let’s take a tour around the region: Israel has peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan. Israel is in a better strategic position than ever, and its sovereignty is beyond question. political discourse, it is axiomatic that Israel is in a constant struggle for survival. aid to secure its existence and that the two countries share a common set of democratic principles no longer makes sense. It is a narrative that has kept the aid flowing over the years-but is it true? Perhaps once it was, but the idea that Israel needs U.S. policymakers, Israel’s supporters, and Israelis justify on moral grounds: Israel is uniquely vulnerable in a hostile neighborhood, it shares the United States’ values, and it is an ally. Central Command’s senior officer in 2022.Īll this traffic reflects what has long been a core interest of the United States: ensuring Israeli security. security officials come not long after a large U.S.-Israel military exercise, the CIA director’s visit to meet with senior Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and four tours of Israel by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin began a Middle East trip that will include stops in Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. After Milley departed the Holy Land, U.S. According to press reports, Iran was at the top of the agenda. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.

The settlers new allies crack