(American Interest) Walter Russell Mead - This week, Narendra Modi will make history as India's first prime minister to make an official visit to Israel. He will be putting the Palestinian issue aside to forge closer ties on defense, agriculture, tech, and trade. In agriculture, Israeli water recycling technology is helping India grow food more efficiently; Israel has also established 26 agricultural expertise centers in India to teach local farmers new tricks. Meanwhile, Israel Aerospace Industries is working with local Indian partners on space cooperation and developing high-res radar satellites. It is also about the successful expansion of Israeli diplomacy away from Europe. From the Gulf to Africa to all across Asia, Israeli diplomacy is more active and diversified than ever before. It reflects a recognition that Israel is not a West European state. Israel's integration into the non-Western world was delayed by Arab hostility. But Arab power is weakening. As OPEC's power over world oil prices declines, and as sectarian war and political failure rip the Arab world apart, Israeli tech prowess and close links to the U.S. make it a valued partner for more and more of the postcolonial world. The writer is professor of foreign affairs and humanities at Bard College.
2017-07-04 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive