(Wall Street Journal) Aviva Klompas - The Trump administration has taken a series of foreign-policy steps in recent weeks that are quietly reshaping the U.S.-Israel relationship. The moves acknowledge that the two countries' interests overlap in many ways but aren't identical. The Trump administration appears to be acting on its own priorities, and Israel is free to do the same. Trump appears to be investing in stronger ties with regional actors such as Qatar and Syria to pull them away from Iran's orbit. Drawing adversaries away from Tehran is less costly in both blood and treasure than confronting Iran head-on. For Israel, this new U.S. posture reinforces the country's conviction that it must be able to defend itself by itself. Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Biden administration often expressed support for Israel while simultaneously applying pressure - urging restraint, pausing arms shipments, and setting conditions on military operations. Too often, this limited Israel's ability to act on its own assessments. The Trump administration has taken a different tack, reflecting a broader willingness to act unilaterally and let Israel do the same. This model is more honest than a relationship based on symbolic gestures and behind-the-scenes friction. It lets both nations act on their interests without pretending perfect alignment. Still, the security of both nations is linked. Iran doesn't view Israel as its final adversary, but rather as a stepping stone toward confronting the West. Instability in the Middle East never stays in the Middle East. A stable region isn't only in Israel's interest - it's in America's, too. Real partnership isn't built on being in perfect sync - it's built on candor, and the confidence to stand side-by-side without always pretending to stand as one.
2025-05-20 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive