Middle East Policy and US National Interest

 

Henry Thompson

 

 

The US military is involved in a worldwide perpetual police action due to failed Middle East policy.  It is time to rethink our national interest and foreign policy goals. 

 

In exchange for $8 million of yearly lobby spending, the US Congress gives Israel $5 billion of military aid.  The direct cost of this aid is over $30 per US household and the indirect cost is harmful US foreign policy.  Israel spends about 10% of its national income on its military and replacing the lost US aid would raise taxes perhaps 10%.  US military aid to Israel should be eliminated.

 

Another mistake is to support Arab oil sheiks in spite of their repressive governments.  One way or another, this feudalism will become a relic of the past. 

 

The US and the world depend on the steady flow of crude oil but US economic interest in the Middle East is not overwhelming.  US firms have little direct investment in the Middle East, mostly in the oil industry but totaling only 5% of US global investment in that industry.  The US has even less direct investment in Israel, mostly in banks and small scale manufacturing, with more invested in the Netherlands Antilles. 

 

One rationalization for giving military aid to Israel is that it is the only democracy in the Middle East.  Around the world, more countries are adopting the US style of representative democracy.  The US should openly advocate democratic reform.

 

The present national borders in the Middle East are the result of Western wars during the past century.  The people now in Israel and Palestine have mostly immigrated there since World War II.  With jets to the “Holy Land” the tourism stakes are high.  Determining the national borders in the Middle East will not be an easy process.

 

Four steps would redefine US national interest in the Middle East: 

·       End military aid to Israel 

·       Promote democracy and economic freedom

·       Recognize Palestine