How the relationship between the U.S. and Israel has effected Research Paper

How the relationship between the U.S. and Israel has effected relations with Iraq, Palestine, Iran, AndAfghanistan - Research Paper Example How the relationship between the U.S. and Israel has affected relations with Iraq, Palestine, Iran and Afghanistan America’s relations with Israel have significant effects on its relations with other countries in the Middle East. Arabs generally have a feeling that America is supporting Israel blindly and keeps a blind eye towards the massacres conducted by Israel against the Arab world in general and against Palestine in particular. America’s foreign policies towards Middle East are influenced by its historical and cultural relations with Israel. Israel’s relationships with America are so strong because of the cultural similarities of these two countries. No other country in the world has ever succeeded in maintaining such a strong and long relationship with US as Israel does. Moreover, no other country in the world is getting such big financial and military aids from America as Israel does. Mearsheimer & Walt (2008) have pointed out that â€Å"As of 2005, dire ct US economic and military assistance to Israel amounted nearly to $ 154 billion, the bulk of it comprising of direct grants rather than loans† (Mearsheimer & Walt, 2008, p.24). Moreover, â€Å"Israel's bombing of Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981—despite formal criticism—was enthusiastically supported by the Reagan administration† (Zunes, 2006). Because of the strong relations with Israel, America never criticizes Israel even if Israel engages in illegal activities against the Arab world. ... They encouraged Taliban and Osama led Al-Qaida to fight against Soviet Union. They taught the Islamic fundamentalists that communism is against the religious beliefs and teachings of Islam. The rest is history now. America succeeded in expelling Soviet troops from Afghanistan; however, they forced to give huge prices for that later. The 9/11 incident and the current war on terror which destroyed the financial back bone of America were the outcomes of America’s injudicious efforts in Afghanistan earlier. â€Å"Despite the widely-held tail-wagging-the-dog assumptions, history has shown that the United States has frequently used Israel to advance its strategic interests in the Middle Eastern region† (Zunes, 2006). Neutral political observers quiet often confused to give proper answer to the question why United States is sacrificing its interests for Israel. In most of the issues in the Middle East region, America is playing its cards staying at the back drop. US donâ€℠¢t like the involvement of any other super powers in this region since the Middle Eastern region is blessed with immense natural resources like oil and fresh water. America is exploiting Israel-Arab enmity to block the interference of other superpowers in this region. However, America’s efforts are affecting them as a boomerang. â€Å"If the United States had not been a strong supporter of Israel, it would have been very difficult for Soviet Union to win friends and allies in the Islamic world†(Sheffer, 1997, p.32). At present most of the Arab countries like Iran, Palestine etc are in good relations with Russia. Moreover, America is facing stiff challenges in Afghanistan and Iraq. After the end of cold war and the defeat of