Obama’s Reluctance Should be Israel’s Gain
Israel announced the successful test of its own anti-missile defense system yesterday. In the post-American dominance age, this could be a significant advantage for the Jewish state. As President Obama displays his aversion to anything confrontational, all nations are compelled to see to their own self defense. Israel has been in a full defense posture since inception, but most of Europe, has been fully reliant on American willingness to defend the continent. Now, Obama’s willingness to talk and pull Europe out from under the missile defense umbrella will leave Europe less defended and less secure than they were prior to the Obama Apology Tour.
Israel may find herself in an unusual position internationally because of Obama’s weakness combined with newly developed anti missile technology. Newly elected PM Benjamin Netanyahu now has the key to Israel’s self-defense needs. More interestingly, though, he may be able to position Israel as a defender of European interests as well.
Obama’s predictable withdrawal of American missile defense from newly minted NATO nations was not due to decreased threat levels. The need for defense against Iranian, North Korean and Russian/Chinese missile attack still exists. Netanyahu – perhaps clandestinely – must work out agreements with the nations that Obama left open to missile threat and position Israeli technology to help in their self defense.
This strategy would re-integrate Israel into European relationships and – interestingly enough – strengthen her hand in relationships with the United States. Should Israel become a major player in the defense of Europe, Obama would see his leverage and power significantly diminished. Obama wouldn’t mind not having to invest in Europe’s defense, but he might not be seated at the head of the table when the next European defense meetings take place.