Isn’t there a huge and obvious distinction between 1) empathizing with Israelis after this terror attack and 2) wanting to send Israel lots of money and weapons?
With Ukraine, the rationale for aid is clear. Ukraine is facing an adversary with deep stockpiles of everything. The assistance from 52 nati…
Isn’t there a huge and obvious distinction between 1) empathizing with Israelis after this terror attack and 2) wanting to send Israel lots of money and weapons?
With Ukraine, the rationale for aid is clear. Ukraine is facing an adversary with deep stockpiles of everything. The assistance from 52 nations, is thus an existential necessity.
Israel, by contrast, has Hamas outgunned. Their biggest challenges seem to be about: 1) having good intel and knowing where to hit 2) calibrating their response to degrade Hamas while minimizing blowback 3) having a future plan for a Gaza when Hamas is not in control.
Put aside symbolism. How exactly will American aid help with any of those three things?
So Hezbollah is thinking about attacking but they see America giving Israel $10B instead of the usual, annual $4B and so they back down?
Bad actors see an American warship and so they back down? Look like they actually taking shots at our ships.
Again, other than performative symbolism, I see no tangible value (and enormous risks) to putting US personnel in the theatre. And while, sure, everyone loves money, I don’t see how 10 extra billion for Israel creates lasting security, if the billions and billions we’ve already sent hasn’t done the job.
I’m late to this comment party but....
Isn’t there a huge and obvious distinction between 1) empathizing with Israelis after this terror attack and 2) wanting to send Israel lots of money and weapons?
With Ukraine, the rationale for aid is clear. Ukraine is facing an adversary with deep stockpiles of everything. The assistance from 52 nations, is thus an existential necessity.
Israel, by contrast, has Hamas outgunned. Their biggest challenges seem to be about: 1) having good intel and knowing where to hit 2) calibrating their response to degrade Hamas while minimizing blowback 3) having a future plan for a Gaza when Hamas is not in control.
Put aside symbolism. How exactly will American aid help with any of those three things?
It is a signal to various regional actors not to pile in and expand the war.
So Hezbollah is thinking about attacking but they see America giving Israel $10B instead of the usual, annual $4B and so they back down?
Bad actors see an American warship and so they back down? Look like they actually taking shots at our ships.
Again, other than performative symbolism, I see no tangible value (and enormous risks) to putting US personnel in the theatre. And while, sure, everyone loves money, I don’t see how 10 extra billion for Israel creates lasting security, if the billions and billions we’ve already sent hasn’t done the job.
Imagine the alternative and its risks. A widening regional war, spike in oil prices, global recession, etc.
In the US, it would mean Biden loses in 2024, Trump returns with his impact on American democracy, NATO is destabilized, etc. etc.
I don't know what the answers are but those seem like very good questions.