My view of Israel and certain other countries (Taiwan is a good example) is that America uses "proxies" to project power around the world and indirectly look out for our interests. These proxies need to meet certain requirements; a fairly transparent society with popular assent and representation, basic human freedoms, etc. Strong as we are, we cannot handle everything. Using nations whose interests fall along similar lines is the next best thing.
Let's say we back out on supporting Israel- REALLY back out. Not just on funding, also on selling them arms and equipment, support in the UN, moralistic support. Then let's say that due to this Israel is (somehow; I also believe in supporting Israel because her children are STRONG) destroyed by the Arabic countries surrounding it.
Is this in our best interest? Do you really believe it will stop there? It is in the nature of a society of conquest to continue in this conquest until stopped. Maybe in the short term we would see fewer direct problems (imagine an Ottoman-Empire type consolidation war following Israel's destruction-following the same lines of thought, who cares?) but leaving a foe to become stronger while focusing only on the pleasures bough by ignoring that danger is hedonism, pure and simple. Something that America already has enough of.
We intervene, because we must. We support likeminded countries because doing so is in our best interest. I believe that our system of government is the best one ever created, and countries who attempt to follow our example need to be supported because it is the RIGHT thing to do, not necessarily the easy or expedient thing.
No, we may not always see eye-to-eye, and the benefits may not be more dollars in our pockets or anything that tangible. But freedom and peace always have a price, whether in material goods or blood. Myself, I'd rather pay 5 cents a day and see a free, democratic society continue than any of the possible alternatives.
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