ISRAEL ALLIANCE IS A BARGAIN FOR U.S.: Rod Martin lays out the decisive strategic case for the U.S. maintaining a close, mutually supportive alliance with Israel. Contrary to the anti-semites Right and Left who claim America gets nothing from its relationship with Israel, the alliance is an absolute bargain. Martin frames the alternatives:

“When America retreats, Iran advances. When America hesitates, Russia probes. When America grows confused, China arrives with money, ports, telecom networks, surveillance systems, and diplomatic cover. That is the actual choice-set. The world does not freeze while Washington holds seminars and struggle sessions.

“Israel helps prevent that outcome in the Middle East by being the one country in the region both willing and able to confront the West’s enemies on a daily basis. And because Israel does so with its own soldiers rather than ours, the United States spends far less blood and treasure.

“This is the point the anti-Israel Right keeps missing. They speak as if support for Israel ‘drags’ America into war. In fact, a strong Israel is essential to keep America out of unnecessary wars. Indeed, in all of history, only in the last year have U.S. and Israeli forces felt the need to fight side by side in any offensive war.”

Much, much more here that needs to be said and heeded.