Israel is a magnificent and heroic story but it is not our story, it is not our destiny and it should not be considered in our national interest to risk nuclear holocaust on its behalf. It is one thing to recognize Jerusalem as the legitimate capital of Israel-that can be considered to have been a moral and decent action by Trump. Likewise, recognition of Israel's strategic need of the Golan Heights Is a practical understanding of reality.
At a time when America is threatened with the end of its superpower status partly because it is overextended and has engaged in bootless and seemingly endless wars without accomplishing any recognizable advancement of our security interests, why would we compound these errors? Why double down? Israel is one of the hottest spots on earth, surrounded by hundreds of millions of enemies bent on its destruction. One can only think of the consequences of Germany issuing a "blank check" to Austria to make war on Serbia in 1914. There is no upside for us and the downside could be utterly catastrophic as it was for Germany.
A decision to make war is an element of sovereignty and every mutual security obligation constrains our sovereignty to some degree. If an occasion arises in which a beleaguered Israel requires our assistance, even our alliance in war, let us make that decision on an ad hoc basis, let Congress decide, let the judgment be made about what is in our national interest at the time. It would be folly to commit now to circumstances unknowable in the future.
