The Illusion of 'Functional' Influence
The Claim: Transactional but Functional Aaron David Miller's assessment that the US-Israel relationship is transactional but functional suggests a balanced, if pragmatic, arrangement where both parties derive essential benefits. This narrative posits that while trust and liking may be absent, mutual needs sustain the alliance, particularly in light of diminishing influence for certain leaders. The
Evidence: A Manufactured Primacy The public record, however, reveals a more one-sided benefit accrual. Since 1949, the United States has provided Israel with over $160 billion in bilateral assistance, predominantly military aid. This is more foreign aid than any other country has received (Congressional Research Service, 2023). This assistance is not merely transactional; it is mandated by a
complex web of legislation and lobbying efforts. For instance, the annual allocation of military aid, currently at $3.8 billion, is often secured through the persistent efforts of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which reported spending $13.7 million on lobbying in 2022 alone (OpenSecrets, 2022). This expenditure frequently exceeds the lobbying budgets of
many major US corporations. The Contradictions: From 'Strategic Asset' to Strategic Liability The assertion of a 'functional' relationship breaks down when examining specific instances where Israeli actions have directly contradicted stated US objectives or undermined regional stability. Historically, the US has repeatedly, yet ineffectually, 'condemned' Israeli settlement expansion in the West