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The US taxpayer was involved in this in so many ways it's hard to count. Paid for R&D of plane, laser guided bomb, possibly training of the pilot, possibly the bomb itself, the power plant was funded in part with US taxzpayer monies, it was insured by OPIC, which is fully backed by the US taxpayer. The insurance will pay out $48 million directly to Khoudry, who will probably have to pocket the money since Israel will not allow the repair/rebuilding of the plant without something tangible in return this time, i.e. more US taxpayer subsidies to Israel.

It's hard not to laugh at the ridiculously sublime nature of the misfortune of US taxpayers in this situation.

Actually, this U.S. taxpayer is finding it difficult to see anything amusing about this.

It's entirely possible that we might actually pay out up to 2.7 times the installation cost of this power plant to make up for loss of future earnings and capital equipment. From OPIC's web pages:

Extent of Coverages

Term

The term of an insurance policy for an equity investment may extend up to a maximum of 20 years. For loans, leases, and transactions covered by the contractors and exporters program, the term is generally equal to the duration of the underlying contract or agreement.

Self-Insurance Requirement

OPIC can insure up to 90 percent of an eligible investment. OPIC’s statute generally requires that the investor bear at least 10 percent of the risk of loss. However, loans and capital leases from financial institutions to unrelated third parties may be insured for 100 percent of principal and interest.

Coverage Multiples

For equity investments, OPIC typically issues insurance commitments equal to 270 percent of the initial investment — 90 percent representing the original investment and 180 percent to cover future earnings. Coverage amounts may be limited for investments in countries where OPIC has a high portfolio concentration.

You think this is bad? It is just a pimple on the Palestine corpus. We have been pouring money into Palestine through the UNRelief and Works Administration since 1948. We are talking billions, not just millions. And it never end, and the Palestinians never work and never create anything for themselves. The more ambitious Arabs have left the place long ago. What is left are the two gangs, Hamas and Fatah, which is like giving money to the Crips and the Bloods.