I look forward to the liberation of Afghanistan and Iraq from neocolonial rule. I look forward to a new era when control of oil fields is no longer a matter of geostrategic importance and drilling will incur sanctions by an international body.
edit Upon second reading, I also object to it being seen as just a "forward operating base." For most of history the region has been highly prized as the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Definitely. I forget France's influence, but the UK literally granted them the territory without regard for the people that lived there already.
> I also object to it being seen as just a "forward operating base." For most of history the region has been highly prized as the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Sorry, I was being too simplistic. It is a very valuable geostrategic asset in many ways.
France had the smaller role, but the Sykes-Picot agreement is too key to completely ignore them.
I don't think it's anti-semetic to criticize Israel. The thing NOT to do is imply that Israel (or the Jews) operate the US like a puppet state. The idea that jews secretly control the peoples of the world is a trope from nazi propaganda and so it is important to carefully state criticisms so as to not imply that.
If the US really were a puppet state, it would be fair to say, but in reality it is rather the reverse. It can be difficult to see that because we do not talk about US imperialism and the neo-colonial goals of the US state security apparatus. As I stated in another comment, Israel lobbies the US for favors and often they are granted because our governments wish to maintain a security relationship. It can be sometimes difficult to thread that needle, but it is possible to do in good faith. The Israel lobby does attack people who make criticisms in good faith though... which is permitted because if people saw Israel as an apartheid state, the US would be pressured to terminate our security relationship.
In summary, this is a complex issue. To be honest, Israel's apartheid behavior and militarism is giving fuel to hate by muddying the waters so much. If they would quit that shit, it would make life a lot easier for every honest person trying to talk about these issues.
Woah now this is much further than anyone in this thread has claimed or stated. Fear of social ostracization is not reason enough to avoid discussing the truth. Just pointing out the truth that jews form a "key voting block" and lobbyist group is not an endorsement of any more encompassing and ungrounded theory or judgment against them.
It is bigoted and prejudicial to treat jews differently from christians and muslims, period point blank.
The original post said the US congress was "subservient to Israeli political and security needs." Or "operates the US like a puppet state."
And without intense lobbying by pro-Israeli groups in the US, those arms and funds wouldn't be possible.
And for better or worse, Evangelicals are US citizens and their crazy as religion is not more crazy then other religions. If they want to vote for pro-Israel policy, however misguided, this is their right. Democracy kinda sucks sometimes. These Evangelicals are powerful force in US politics because they successfully vote as a block.
I would also say however that some of the dumbest polices of the US in the middle east are grown on US own heap of intellectual idiocy. The people who wrote the plan for 'The Next American Century' while clearly very pro Israel, were also all former basically Ratheon lobbyist. So blame Israel, blame military-industrial complex, blame the idiot Bush who got convinced by the pathetic argument for those policies.
Israel for 30+ years wants the US to make war on Iran and however much their influence is, its not enough to get that done.
If someone want to point out that Congress is influenced by others, and to question that, it's fine.
But indicating that 'Congress is Controlled by the Jews' is an anti-semetic trope.
Also: "What's the excuse now?"
The Israeli-Egyptian conflict was not part of 'the Cold War' nor was it about 'Oil' - it's about regional stability among two regional powers - and the Suez Canal.
Keeping Israel and Egypt away from each other keeps others less likely to start a conflict with Israel - and also provides stability for an important economic throughway - the Suez Canal.
Since the US has participated there's been peace. The investments have yielded great dividends.
That said, it's still a powder keg: there are minor bust ups between Muslim Brotherhood and Israeli soldiers etc. at the border, every example has the opportunity to blow up into something much more. Thankfully, the US has a lot of influence in Egypt and can keep things under wraps.
And though the US is less dependent on Oil from Saudi Arabia, it still is to some extent, moreover, keeping the oil flowing is good for the world economy, and much better in those terms than were Saudi Arabia to be taken by China or Russia etc. which is why that pact continues.
It will be this way for a few generations yet.
Saying that 'Congress is Subservient to a Foreign Power' is completely different than saying 'A Foreign Power has influence in Congress'.
The US gives billions to Egypt and Saudi Arabia in aid, military equipment, and literally by contract guarantees the Sovereignty and power of the House of Saud - so conspiratorial statements that make this about 'one side' or that anyone 'controls congress' are damaging and false.
I'm well aware of that.