Avi Kalo, a former security official in the occupation army and political writer, revealed a sharp and unprecedented decline in the standing and popularity of the occupation state within political and popular circles in the United States. He explained that there is a gradually solidifying conviction in Washington that the current Israeli government is pushing the American administration towards a direct military confrontation with Iran, which is causing widespread resentment in decision-making circles.
Kalo recalled Benjamin Netanyahu's political history in his analysis, pointing to his speech before Congress in 2002, in which he incited the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. He considered that war, which became a bleeding wound in American military history, made Netanyahu's name associated in the collective memory of the Democratic Party with someone who pushes for unnecessary wars in the Middle East.
The analysis indicated that this negative legacy later affected the decisions of the Obama and Biden administrations when concluding the nuclear agreement with Iran, an agreement that Netanyahu later incited former President Donald Trump to abrogate in 2018. The writer believes that withdrawing from the agreement without a strategic alternative created a dangerous vacuum that led to the current escalation, for which the United States is paying the price.
Sources reported that the narrative accusing Israel of dragging Washington into conflicts is no longer confined to the margins of American politics but has become a discourse gaining legitimacy within the State Department and moderate Republican Party circles. This shift reflects an erosion of the traditional support Tel Aviv enjoyed across various American political spectrums.
The former security official believes that the public discussion in the United States focuses on the repercussions of these wars on the domestic economy, away from political emotions. The rise in fuel prices and disruption of supply chains due to tensions in shipping lanes have led to widespread public discontent that negatively affected the American president's popular base.
Kalo pointed out that the cost of arming and defending waterways, which amounted to billions of dollars, has led American citizens to bitterly question the utility of these conflicts. This questioning deepens the rift that transforms Israel from a strategic asset linked to a deep emotional identity into a financial and military burden that negatively affects American national interests.
The writer warned that the prevailing impression that Netanyahu encouraged Trump to enter into a confrontation with Iran would exacerbate the damage at a very critical time. These developments coincide with the approaching congressional midterm elections and the beginning of sensitive deliberations to extend the US military aid budget for an additional decade.
Kalo criticized the lack of political responsibility among the current Israeli leadership, noting that any responsible leadership would have considered the impact of its military decisions on the special relationship with Washington. He considered neglecting this essential factor in managing the war a strategic danger that threatens the most valuable security assets of the occupation state.
The writer described Netanyahu's situation as 'strategic paralysis' resulting from being trapped by his legal and political constraints, making him prioritize his personal survival over national interest. This situation has led to a loss of the ability to maneuver politically and maintain vital international alliances that ensure Israel's long-term security.
In conclusion, the security official stressed that the lesson learned from the Iraq War is now more apparent to Americans than ever before. He affirmed that Washington might forgive intelligence failures, but it finds it extremely difficult to forgive allies who drag it into regional wars that do not serve its agenda, thus jeopardizing bilateral relations.
The United States may overlook intelligence errors, but it does not forgive allies who push it into wars it does not wish to fight.
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Former Security Official: Netanyahu is Dragging Washington into a Confrontation with Iran, and Tel Aviv's Standing is in Unprecedented Decline