Agent Zero

In publicly stating that he’s cutting off aid to Israel, President Trump is attempting to set a narrative: whatever action Israel takes against Iran has nothing to do with the U.S. It gives us a political “out” if Israel targets civilian infrastructure or uses a nuclear weapon on Iran. Unfortunately, Iran will not see it this way. Just as they’ve hit us when Israel has initiated attacks in the past, Iran will retaliate against us & our gulf partners if Israel engages in further acts of aggression. The reality is that it’s going take more than a public statement to meaningfully restrain Israel, especially when that statement highlights the still-heavy influence Netanyahu has on these decisions. Bibi, Israeli officials, & their American surrogates have known for some time now that the days of unconditional support from the U.S. are reaching an end, and have resorted to misdirection: get everyone focused on Trump ending the cash funding & weaponry provisions, while in the background shifting their own efforts to push the far more lucrative— but harder to detect— “partnership” that’s on the cusp of being codified into law within the NDAA. If POTUS is genuinely serious about cutting off aid to Israel, he must demand that Congress remove all proposed programs that will give the Israeli defense & intelligence apparatuses unfettered access to our own defense & intelligence R&D. Protect American interests, put Americans first.