[dennisw]

I am not in favor of throwing Israel to the wolves. However, I believe that when our national interests diverge, our interests [US] should come first. In the past, it has been the tail wagging the dog when it comes to US national interests in the Middle East.

Total bull about tail (Israel) wagging the dog. More like a tug of war. The USA has been dictating to Israel the last few years and if you want a standard rejoinder you can sensibly say that the US has a right to due to military aid and other aid to Israel. 

Sometimes Israel calls the shots in this two way relationship but most of the time we call the shots or it's a stalemate
It's absurd to paint this as a picture where Israel is in control. Now or in the past. I'll bet you love James Baker and Lee Hamilton who is a real freakin dullard. The Baker/Hamilton doctrine is in effect now. Bush has half cut loose Israel

[kabar]

Total bull about tail (Israel) wagging the dog. More like a tug of war. The USA has been dictating to Israel the last few years and if you want a standard rejoinder you can sensibly say that the US has a right to due to military aid and other aid to Israel. Sometimes Israel calls the shots in this two way relationship but most of the time we call the shots or it's a stalemate.

Based on personal experience, you couldn't be more wrong. The US dictates nothing to Israel. In most cases, it is the other way around. We have very little control over Israeli foreign policy or actions. They don't listen to us whether it is stopping the expansion of settlements or selling American military technology to China.

It's absurd to paint this as a picture where Israel is in control. Now or in the past. I'll bet you love James Baker and Lee Hamilton who is a real freakin dullard. The Baker/Hamilton doctrine is in effect now. Bush has half cut loose Israel

It is actually a political reality. Israel will do whatever it takes to protects its national interests. We should do the same.