politics

Like it only alienates basically every other potential partner in the ME.

Exactly, but not every partner. Wester backing for Israel puts pressure on resource rich middle eastern countries. The saudis don’t give a fuck and will keep pumping out oil for the west even if Israel states to the camera that they plan on committing genocide, proper. But as for everyone else, they may be hostile to Israel, but Israel having more weapons = Israel disciplining the Arabs = the US’s interests are protected explicitly or implicitly. For example, look at Syria and Iran - Israel feels threatened by Iran and kills their scientists and that aligns with the US. Alienation is irrelevant if your guns are bigger

The country is also geographically close to Russia and China. The US has been promoting terrorists on china’s borders, and having a powerful, friendly intelligence apparatus that’s close to your enemy = more efficient covert operations

Like the logic of "Unconditional 110% support" is just fuckin nuts.

The performative support circus for Israel is for people at home to buy into the cause. And with any form of geopolitics, it’s also a tacit warning to the enemies and partners around the region that we have an attack dog and we’re not afraid to unleash it. And even though Israel is dependent on the US, individual organizations and politicians in the US are dependent on Israeli lobbyists and donations. If Israel stops giving money to the GOP or dems, they would definitely be punished, but if lobbyists feel personally offended or happy with individuals, the funding or lack thereof is significant to that person. It’s why BDS is illegal and businesses will go as far as putting anti-BDS clauses in property rental agreements.

Yeah sure a good bit of it us ideology, but there has to be some matrierial calculus in there somewhere. They are basically sacrificing the baby Ukraine over this.

Yes, I imagine it’s because dominance in the Middle East has largely happened already and the resources are more readily available compared to what’s in Ukraine or Russia. Ukraine has farm land and much of the industry is being privatized, but it’s also being occupied by a peer superpower. The US already knows Ukraine is done for and now they have to play the waiting game. But Israel’s military is more advanced than most of its neighbors who are unstable, sanctioned, war torn, or haven’t fought in decades - it’s easier to support Israel because your enemies are weaker. Essentially, Ukraine = ideology (defeating Russia once and for all), but Israel = ideology + materialism

Israel is called a lapdog for a reason. It stays loyal to its owner, and when the owner feels threatened, so will the dog and vice versa.