is it because of the Israel lobby, or because Israel serves some sort of strategic purpose?
Mearsheimer seems to think that it's mostly because of the lobby. I think I agree with him; I really can't think of any unique strategic purpose that Israel serves for the US. if Israel disappears tomorrow, the US still has colossal military bases in the Gulf states, it still has friendly governments in Jordan and Egypt, it occupies Syria and Iraq, it has ISIS to stage crazy terrorist attacks, etc. what exactly does Israel do that's worth all the negatives for the US?
I watched Finkelstein's recent interview on Al Jazeera and he mentioned he disagreed with Mearsheimer. just curious what everyone here thinks.
The Russians don't have the constant tens of billions needed to sustain Israel if the US pulls out
And Iran definitely would not remain friendly to Russia if it decides to back Israel to the hilt, which would guarantee Russia would make an enemy of every major state in the region aside from Israel
Also Russia doesn't have the capital and pull to keep Egypt under control like the US does and Egypt has always been the crucial determinant of the conflict
Basically it all boils down to the fact Russia can't control the middle east because it doesn't have the petro dollar and it never will