"As far as Israel, the U.S. has an obligation to help that country to be able to defend itself due to its unique history and its isolated location as the lone Jewish state in a sea of Arab hostility."
That explanation lacks real substance.
Why don't we protect Christians being slaughtered all over Africa by muslims? Answer: Africa has no oil.
We only care about the ME because of the oil, and Israel helps us beat back the radicals who want to take control of the whole region (See Iraqi nuke facilities in early 80's).
I am much further into the libertarian realm than most, but not to the extreme as some. Really, I'm just a strict Constitutionalist.
You didn't address my main theme that the BEST way for us to help Israel would be to get out of the UN.
I don't think law enforcement and education can "dry up" the demand for drugs. It's simply not possible. I do, however, think that by going that route, suppliers charge more, and that money goes to enemies of America. (See the narcodemocracy in Afghanistan we've created)
"so we will always be connected to one degree or another"
No problem, but we need to be in a position where we are secure and stable with OR without them and their product/service. Right now, without the inflow of ME oil, America is neither secure nor stable.
"Wahhabi-style hatred"
They can hate me all they want. Hatred doesn't inflict mass casualties, expensive weapons and training do. (One of my other original points, we need to focus on those people who actually have the means to hurt us, not everyone who would if they could).
"That goal cannot be obtained by a total disengagement from the region."
Nobody is calling for "total" disengagement. Again, less engagement is better than more, in terms of the ME. Just like less empire and more isolationism is better than what we are doing now. Not fully isolationist, but let's reverse course and head in that direction.
Veritas: "As far as Israel, the U.S. has an obligation to help that country to be able to defend itself due to its unique history and its isolated location as the lone Jewish state in a sea of Arab hostility." That explanation lacks real substance. Why don't we protect Christians being slaughtered all over Africa by muslims? Answer: Africa has no oil. That explanation lacks real substance. Why don't we protect Christians being slaughtered all over Africa by muslims? Answer: Africa has no oil.
Africa has oil, diamonds, platinum, and all sorts of important and valuable resources. The continent is slowly becoming more engaged with the outside world, but with massive corruption, political problems, tribal conflicts, etc., development has been and will continue to be slow. This current administration has probably done more for the continent than any other (leading the Darfur efforts, introducing the AIDS proposal, etc.).
We are in the ME for two reasons: oil and Israel.
The fact is, we've been involved with the Jewish state from its conception through today. For us to stop assisting it would mean its eventual destruction at the hands of Arabs and various other anti-Semites. As far as us helping it by getting out of the U.N., I don't see the connection. We run interference for them many times when the anti-Semites introduce their condemnations and proposals against Israel. Us getting out and them staying in would not be good; both of us getting out and telling the world to take a flying leap would be good.