Israel: Divorce USA, Marry Russia
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Israel Divorce America, Marry Russia
By Joel Bainerman November 5, 2006There used to be a time when Israel had no other "superpower partner" to align herself with other than the US.
Today, that is not the case. Although few Israelis realize it, Israel has strategic options that it didn't have 15 years ago. In many respects, Russia is a much more suitable partner for Israel than the US.
If Israel switched her alliance to be more politically and economically friendly with Russia -- and less dependent on the US -- Russia might be less inclined to support the regimes in Iran and Syria.
This will strengthen Russia and enable Israel to find more common ground with its neighbours. The moment Israel aligns herself away from the US towards Russia -- American influence in our region will diminish.
Today, Israel pays a heavy price for its close alliance with the US. Israel is perceived as "America's sidekick" rather than an independent nation which serves its own interests.
During the end of the second week of July 06, Arab Knesset member Talab El-Sana was quoted in the Israeli press as stating"The war in Lebanon is an American war. The Lebanese, Palestinians and Israelis are paying the price. Israel is nothing more than a US subcontractor, doing America's work in the Middle East," said, one of the rally organizers." The United States is using Israelis and Lebanese to further its own ends. The US has nullified Israel's ability to make independent decisions."
He's absolutely right, but it doesn't have to be this way.
The events that transpired after 911 following the US's declaration of its "war on terrorism" didn't make Israel stronger -- despite the bear hug it got from the US ruling elite. Today Israel is more isolated and its domestic security situation more precarious than every before. Nearly six decades after the state was established, one of the reasons why Israel is still at war with its neighbours is as much to do with the need for the US to "intervene" into the domestic affairs of the region -- than due to "radical Islamic fundamentalism."
The US's sole global interest is the steady secure of oil. To attain this goal, it needs to have the Middle East kept in a constant state of turmoil.
Israel's interest is peace with its neighbours. Peace is not in the interests of the economic interests that dictate US Middle East foreign policy. This divergence of national interests has never been presented to the Israeli public. Despite the claim that "Israel and the US share the same interests" nothing could be further from the truth.
It is time Israel considered its other "superpower option." The way to neutralize Israel's main enemies in the region is to convince their backer that Israel is more valuable of an asset than they are. Israel could do this by moving away from the US and towards Russia.
Nobody hates the Russians -- nor should they. By contrast, many countries in the world (except Israel and Tony Blair) hate the US -- and by extension -- Israel. The US is economically weak -- devoid of energy sources. The only question is how long it will be able to cling to its superpower status.
In any new future alignment of the world's superpowers, it will likely be Russia, China and India against the US. In that scenario, Israel definitely has a much brighter future aligned economically and politically with these rising powers, especially Russia, than with the Americans.
While the US is a crumbling empire, Russian is doing very well economically, blessed with rich deposits of all natural resources and basic and precious metals. Unlike the US, Russia doesn't have to play games to ensure the flow of oil. Unfortunately, Israel gets sucked into the American orbit because of the "war on terrorism" that it has foisted on the world to justify its imperialistic goals.
In short -- Israel has been backing the wrong horse.
Russia, on the other hand, can be a real partner for Israel -- on many fronts. Firstly, New York is more than twice the distance to Tel Aviv than Moscow and thus it is easier for each other's business community to meet and share ideas.
As a market for Israeli goods and services, Russia is much more attractive than the US. The future of Russia's consumer market will be valued by how much Russia earns by selling its natural resources in world markets. For Israeli businesspeople, entrepreneurs and industrialists, Russia represents a very attractive future market. Whatever Russia needs, Israel can provide. Israeli expertise and technology are of greater value to Russia than to the US. Israel can be instrumental in raising the quality of life of everyday Russians by upgrading Russian industry and helping that country develop higher quality and more efficient services to its people. In the areas of science and technology, the two countries strengths are completely complementary.
From a commercial and economic perspective, a partnership of Israel and Russia is more valuable to Israel and whatever the US can offer Israel.
Israel will never be as equal of a partner to the Americans as it can be with the Russians because the Russians need Israeli expertise and know-how. America does not.
It's time for a change, for a fresh start with a new partner. Israel should tell the United States "It was nice for a while, and thanks for the memories. But you and I together doesn't do much for me anymore. You are stunting my growth. I want a divorce so I can marry Russia."
I dont know if Im wrong, but I have always thought that Israel is drawing much more benefits out of its partnership with USA instead of the other way around. And I dont think Russia would sacrifice as much as USA in serving Israel's interests.
Anyway, I have the impression that the writer of the article does not really suggest the 'divorce' between Israel and USA, instead, I think he wants Israel to 'marry' Russia as a second wife.
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I wonder which will be better for the Muslim world. Israel siding with the US or with Russia.
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I wonder which will be better for the Muslim world. Israel siding with the US or with Russia.
One thing is sure is Russia has always been unreliable ally for countries in the Muslim world. It does not make any difference who Israel sides with unless the result is USA becomes a trustworthy ally of the Muslim world, which I believe impossible in the near future.
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i AM NOT SURE IF RUSSIA HAS EVER BEEN AN A GOOD ALIE FOR ANYONE IN THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY. IN THE ARTICLE IT SAID THAT THE SMALL WAR ISRAEL JUST FOUGHT WAS AMERICAS WAR. I BELIEVE AMERICA HAS WENT TOO FAR WITH WHAT IS BEING DONE KNOW. BUT I KNOW THAT EVERY COUNTRY THAT IS BEING TREATED IN A WRONG WAY HAS TO ACT UPON IT. BUT THE BEST ANSWER IS NOT ALWAYS WAR, HOWEVER SOMETIMES THE ONLY ANSWER IS WAR. IN THE END A COUNTRY HAS TO DEFEND ITSELF. AND IF IT NEEDS AN ALIE IT NEEDS TO PICK THE ONE BEST SUTABLE FOR IT AND ITS FAITH.
SINCERELY, ABUJA