Israel provides several critical benefits to the United States in a geopolitical sense, with the relationship being deeply rooted in mutual strategic interests, military cooperation, intelligence sharing, technological advancements, and political influence. These advantages are especially critical in the volatile Middle Eastern region, where Israel plays a unique role as a U.S. ally. Here’s a breakdown of the main geopolitical benefits that Israel offers to the U.S.:
1. Strategic Military Presence and Stability in the Middle East
Israel serves as a critical strategic ally in the Middle East. This region holds vast geopolitical importance for the United States due to its energy resources, political instability, and terrorism threats.
- Forward Operating Base: Although Israel does not officially host permanent U.S. military bases, it functions as a de facto forward operating base for American military interests. Israel’s strategic location allows the U.S. to maintain a military foothold in the region without the need for direct occupation. For example, during regional crises, Israel provides logistical support to U.S. forces by offering airspace and port access, such as in the Gulf Wars.
- Pre-positioned U.S. Weaponry: Israel hosts U.S. military stockpiles under the War Reserve Stock Allies-Israel (WRSA-I) program. This allows the U.S. to quickly access munitions stored in Israel in the event of an emergency or military engagement in the region, enhancing U.S. responsiveness to crises in the Middle East.
2. Intelligence Sharing
Israel is considered one of the most advanced intelligence-gathering countries in the world, particularly in areas like counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and regional threats such as Iran.
- Counterterrorism Cooperation: Israel’s intelligence agencies, particularly Mossad and Aman (the military intelligence branch), provide the U.S. with crucial intelligence on terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas, and ISIS. According to former CIA Director Michael Hayden, “Israel provides America with more intelligence on the Middle East than all NATO countries combined.”
- Monitoring Iran: Israel plays a vital role in monitoring and disrupting Iranian military activities, particularly its nuclear ambitions. Israel’s intelligence operations against Iran, such as the 2018 Mossad operation that seized a trove of Iranian nuclear documents, are invaluable for U.S. policy and action plans regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
3. Technological and Military Innovation
Israel’s cutting-edge technological advancements, particularly in defence and cybersecurity, are valuable to the U.S. and enhance both countries’ military capabilities and security.
- Defence Technology: Israel’s defence industry is one of the most advanced globally, particularly in missile defence, drone technology, and precision weaponry. The joint development of the Iron Dome missile defence system, a program co-funded by the U.S., benefits both nations. The U.S. military has even acquired Iron Dome batteries for its use.
- Cybersecurity Collaboration: As a global leader in cybersecurity innovation, Israel collaborates closely with the U.S. in defending against cyber threats. Israel’s expertise has proven essential for the U.S. public and private sectors. In 2022, the U.S. and Israel formalized this cooperation through the U.S.-Israel Cyber Defense Pact, which helps protect critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks.
4. Containment of Regional Threats
Israel serves as a bulwark against hostile regional actors such as Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and extremist groups like Hamas and ISIS. The U.S. views Israel’s military strength and ability to counter these threats as crucial for maintaining regional stability.
- Iran: Israel’s military actions, particularly in Syria, where it frequently conducts airstrikes against Iranian targets, help contain Iran’s growing influence in the region. For the U.S., which considers Iran a primary adversary, Israel’s actions align with American goals of limiting Iran’s expansionism and nuclear development.
- Proxy for U.S. Interests: Israel often acts where the U.S. prefers not to get directly involved militarily. For instance, Israel’s role in countering Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Lebanon reduces the need for direct U.S. involvement, aligning with American interests while avoiding the cost of deploying U.S. troops.
5. Democratic Values and Political Influence
In a region dominated by autocratic regimes, Israel is the only stable democracy, making it a natural ally for the U.S., which promotes democratic values as part of its foreign policy agenda. This shared political philosophy strengthens the alliance and helps the U.S. maintain a foothold of influence in the Middle East.
- Diplomatic Leverage: Israel’s democratic political system provides the U.S. with a like-minded partner that can counterweight to authoritarian regimes in the region. The U.S. uses its relationship with Israel to leverage broader diplomatic initiatives, such as the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states (UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco). These accords are seen as a diplomatic success for U.S. influence in the Middle East.
6. Economic and Trade Benefits
Although less significant than military and strategic considerations, the U.S. benefits economically from its relationship with Israel through technological and trade cooperation.
- R&D Partnerships: Israel’s renowned tech ecosystem, often dubbed the “Start-up Nation,” has strong partnerships with the U.S. in cybersecurity, biotech, and renewable energy sectors. The U.S. benefits from Israeli innovation through investments and joint ventures. In 2022, Israel was the second-largest destination for U.S. venture capital investment in the Middle East, with over $7.2 billion flowing into Israeli tech firms.
- Arms Sales: The U.S. benefits from arms sales to Israel, bolstered by the U.S. military aid package that ensures Israel buys primarily American-made defence systems. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), nearly 70% of Israel’s arms imports come from the U.S., contributing to the American defence industry.
Conclusion
In the geopolitical landscape, Israel is a critical ally of the United States by providing strategic military advantages, advanced intelligence capabilities, cutting-edge technological innovations, and political stability in a region of vital importance. As a forward base for U.S. interests, a provider of crucial intelligence, and a regional counterweight to Iran and other adversaries, Israel’s geopolitical contributions to the U.S. significantly enhance American influence and security in the Middle East. This multifaceted partnership continues to be an essential pillar of U.S. foreign policy in the region.