The United States-Israel Strategic Relationship

Steve Isaacs

Date of Graduation

Fall 2006

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

Bradley Thayer

Abstract

The United States-Israel strategic relationship as with any alliance has had its ups and downs. Regardless of the occasional rift between the two nations, the relationship remains strong. The United States has provided Israel with military, financial, and diplomatic assistance for four decades. In the relationship's early stages, the U.S. supplied the very lifeline to ensure Israel's survival. Although no formal bi-lateral defense agreement exists, every U.S. President beginning with the Kennedy administration has publicly stated that the U.S. would defend Israel militarily. A militarily strong Israel is considered a strategic interest of the U.S. The performance of the Israeli Defense Forces in previous wars has demonstrated to the U.S. that Israel is capable of defending its own interests as well as the interests of the United States in the Middle East. During the Cold War, Israel's victories over its Arab neighbors served U.S. interest well in its battle with the Soviet Union for influence in the Middle East. The U.S.-Israel strategic relationship is rapidly becoming even more important as both nations face a common threat from Radical Islam and its state sponsors.

Keywords

United States, Israel, Cold War, terrorism, Radical Islam, Iran

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Steve Isaacs

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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