[mvpel]

But if they can afford to spend $16.2 billion a year, why do they need billions of dollars a year from American taxpayers too? Why should US taxpayers foot the bill for 15-20% of Israel’s military budget?

[D-fendr]

But if they can afford to spend $16.2 billion a year, why do they need billions of dollars a year from American taxpayers too?

To have more defense (and offense) than they would without it. I wish they had many billions more, and they're spending a huge amount of their GDP already. I don't get the logic of "if they can spend 16, why give them three?" They can use that and more.

Why should US taxpayers foot the bill for 15-20% of Israel’s military budget?

As I said before, because it's good defense spending for us, particularly now with the growing Iran threat. It may come down to those billions saving our ass - equipment and lives, both civilian and military. As well as the M.E. and Europe.

[D-fendr]

This is at a military parade where new missiles were displayed. You can see Mahmoud in the center of the reviewing stand. This celebration of the new missiles was held the day before Ahmadinejad flew to New York.

The left banner says "Down with America" in English. "Death to America" banners were also flying.

One of Ahmadinejad's promises is "Iran is the most powerful nation on earth." Iran is developing nuclear weapons for their missiles; they have launched satellites on their own rockets, using technology very similar to that used in ICBMs. they chant "Death to America" at military parades and call us the "Great Satan."

I can see sleeping through Hitler in 1932-1939, but not this.

Israel is our strongest military ally against Iran.