Why do we need Israel?

[Elok]

I ask this from a purely Machiavellian-practical point of view: what does the U.S. gain from having Israel as an ally? I always read editorials saying that "Israel is important, since we need an ally in the region." But the reason for allies in the region is to pursue our interests, no? And our interests in the region, aside from religious sites, are 1. Oil and 2. Discouraging the natives from flying planes into our buildings. Israel, as an ally, more exasperates those issues.

I guess we might want an ally for military purposes, and Israel is rather good at that, but we can use shameful half-allies like Saudi Arabia for forward bases; do we need Israel to base airstrikes from?

Of course we're never going to actually drop Israel--AIPAC would raise hell, and so would the Evangelical Apocalypse nuts. Plus it would be very shameful to abandon a longstanding ally for cynical reasons, and so on. But how much do we gain from being their friend, honestly?

[Blaupanzer]

No material benefits seem to accrue. Combination of guilt and spiritual things got/keeps us engaged. From a Civ game perspective, they are way more trouble to prop up than the benefits for doing so. Not that any politician in national office would ever say so.

[Kuciwalker]

It pisses off Eurocommies. How is that not a plus?

[Heraclitus]

It pisses off Eurocommies. How is that not a plus?

I tought we Eurocommies where irrelevant?

[Blaupanzer]

Well, them Islamnazis. Whatever, it is fun to watch all the ranting when those countries know they will be obliviated if they fool with th Holy Land in a serious way. (Think that might explain Iran's nuclear weapons program?)

[Dis]

The answer is we don't need them. They cause more problems than they solve.

But in the event Saudi Arabia doesn't allow us to use their land for staging air strikes, then their land may prove more useful. But I don't even think we have a single air base there, unlike in Saudi Arabia.

[Darius871]

I ask this from a purely Machiavellian-practical point of view: what does the U.S. gain from having Israel as an ally? I always read editorials saying that "Israel is important, since we need an ally in the region." But the reason for allies in the region is to pursue our interests, no? And our interests in the region, aside from religious sites, are 1. Oil and 2. Discouraging the natives from flying planes into our buildings. Israel, as an ally, more exasperates those issues.

I guess we might want an ally for military purposes, and Israel is rather good at that, but we can use shameful half-allies like Saudi Arabia for forward bases; do we need Israel to base airstrikes from?

Of course we're never going to actually drop Israel--AIPAC would raise hell, and so would the Evangelical Apocalypse nuts. Plus it would be very shameful to abandon a longstanding ally for cynical reasons, and so on. But how much do we gain from being their friend, honestly?

Dude, have you ever tried doing your taxes on your own? Enough said.

[Heraclitus]

Well, them Islamnazis. Whatever, it is fun to watch all the ranting when those countries know they will be obliviated if they fool with th Holy Land in a serious way. (Think that might explain Iran's nuclear weapons program?)

But seriusly is this worth the money you are spending?

[Sava]

I ask this from a purely Machiavellian-practical point of view

there's your first mistake

[Heraclitus]

there's your first mistake

Trying to set a rational course for US foreign policy?

[Sava]

yes

[Sirotnikov]

Where would you put all your jews?

[Sava]

ovens

[Heraclitus]

Where would you put all your jews?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Autonomous_Oblast

[Sirotnikov]

On a serious note - Israel is a much more stable, predictable ally than any other option in this area.

It has similar minded people and culture. It gives you various scientific benefits in fields raging from defense issues to high-tech science. You enjoy it more due to our very good public relations and trust between our peoples.