Israel Needs America’s Help in Time of Crisis

Israel and Syria are inches away from what appears to be an all-out war.  It is difficult to decipher who the true antagonist is in this case.  According to http://www.NBCnews.com, Israel initiated the conflict by launching an airstrike directed toward targets inside Syria early Wednesday morning, Jan. 1.  However, there is far more to the story than who launched the first ground to air missile.  The tensions between these two states is historic, based on previous attacks made by Syria and a long list of militant clandestine and covert activities on Syria’s part.  As of right now, there is little doubt that a recipe of previous and current bad blood and bad acts are leading to fast growing tensions between Israel and frankly, the rest of the Middle East.  Israel was merely defending itself with an entirely legal preemptive attack. This tiny nation’s airstrike eliminated a cache of weapons being sent to Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese militant group allied with Syria and Iran which would likely have been used on Israel.  The Hezbollah has long been on the world’s list of dangerous terrorist organizations and has taken credit for some of the most dastardly deeds of the past several decades.  Israel has good reason to fear an even more well-armed Hezbollah.  It is unjust to point fingers at the Israelis who appear to simply be taking measures into their own hands in order to save the lives of their citizens and soldiers.  The most interesting and undoubtedly important item to consider as we watch this crisis play out is what we, the United States of America, will do.

The Middle East has been a serious black hole for America for over a decade now.  We have funneled billions of dollars and thousands of lives into what seems for many, to be nothing more than a manhunt.  The media chooses to refrain from reporting the incredible amount of good obtained from our sacrifices including, but not limited to, the multitude of terrorist attacks prevented from occurring on home soil, the immense number of terrorist and terrorist organizers and leaders we have captured and/or eliminated and the millions of Middle Eastern lives that we have liberated from terrorist organizations’ despotic rule.  America has accomplished a lot overseas, but now we are withdrawing and I believe at this point in time it is the right thing to do.  Unfortunately, as stated above, things are stirring again in that particular part of the world. What will we do?  America is a sworn ally of Israel and it is absolutely vital that we show Syria, Iran and all of the other countries threatening Israel that they are also threatening the most powerful nation to ever exist on this planet: us.

The United States’ focus should not specifically be on whether or not Syria retaliates or Israel initiates another attack, but in analyzing how our potential actions factor into our long-term national security strategy.  I mean this loosely; it is of course incredibly important to the international community what happens next between the rival countries.  My point is that I believe our government (no names being mentioned) will take a step back from the situation rather than take a step forward and show the world, our allies and most importantly our enemies (the enemies of our allies are our enemies as well) that we will not stand from tyranny, we will not cower from any fight and that we will continue to stand with our allies.   America’s image is faltering due to the decisions its leaders have made in a multitude of situations over the past 20 years.  This must stop. We must show our strength during these darkest of times because we are a beacon of light; and perhaps the globe’s single such beacon.

I am not necessarily suggesting that we deploy troops, position carrier battle groups or any other specific martial action.  Instead, I am suggesting that we look to our entire array of national power, which includes economic, diplomatic and military pillars of power.  Fortunately for Israel, they probably don’t need us.  Israel has one of the smallest but also one of the best trained, loyal and powerful militaries on the planet and has proven throughout the past century that it is completely capable of protecting itself from all outside threats.  Regardless of this fact, and not to overstate it, America’s ties with Israel have been questionable throughout this latest presidency and this is a picture perfect opportunity to reassert our robust support to our Jewish friends.  This must be seen as an opportunity rather than a disaster. They need our support in this and in general, we have promised them said support, but have we been actually giving it of late?  The answer is more no than  yes. This is unfortunate in a time when America is quickly losing friends all over the planet.  We could use those national pillars of power I alluded to above and work as the world leader that we are positioned to be, rather than sit on the sidelines and view military power as the only option once again.

As the situation continues to play out and time continues to elapse, the moment will come wherein America must stop dancing about this decision, avoiding definitive action.  The moment will come when America should simply act or permit yet another opportunity slip between her timid and perhaps misguided fingertips.  I pray that we will decide to put our full support behind our most powerful ally in the Middle East and do whatever it takes to maintain the powerful and essential relationship with the Israelis.