The Responsible Statecraft website published an article by Michael Vlahos, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Naval War College, in which he addressed Israel's influence on US foreign policy. The author recalls George Washington's warning about the dangers of foreign influence. Four historical cases are presented when foreign powers have tried to influence the United States. The article describes Israel's influence as inexhaustible and long-lasting, lasting for more than 80 years.

The author claims that Israel's influence is unprecedented in its depth and duration, goes beyond short-term interests, and threatens US sovereignty and national identity.

Radar Armenia presents the main parts of the article.

"In his farewell address, George Washington sounded a special warning: 'A free people must be ever vigilant against the conspiratorial devices of foreign influence (believe me, my fellow countrymen), for history and experience show that foreign influence is one of the most dangerous enemies of republican government."

It is said that Israel's influence over US military and foreign policy is unique; that no small state in modern times has exercised such control over the affairs of a mighty power. This is a disturbing claim. But is it true?

In past centuries, foreign powers have indeed attempted to influence American policy, directing or even controlling US actions in the world. But their interventions have never achieved the consistency of Israel's influence over the centers of power in Washington. This complex and generations-long control has repeatedly prevented the United States from acting in its own security interests, both in domestic and foreign policy.

A comparative analysis of the border is necessary to understand the seriousness of the situation. Let's examine four instances in which foreign powers have attempted to interfere in American politics: how aggressive were the actions, how much did they threaten American security, and ultimately, whether American sovereignty was harmed. Only then can we fully appreciate Israel's influence operations in our time.

France Seeks to Control Its Former Client

Bourbon France played a crucial role in securing American independence in 1783. But ten years later, shaken by revolution and the invasion of European monarchies, France sought to use the United States. "Citizen" Edmond-Charles Genet was sent to Washington to seek support, but instead, he involved the Americans in a privateering scheme to plunder British and Spanish merchant ships.

Washington had just declared neutrality in France's European wars. This was a blatant attempt to draw the United States into the war. Washington quickly suppressed Genet. However, the United States continued to exploit its fraternal relationship with France through the Louisiana Purchase and then, in 1812, went to war against Britain, believing that Napoleon was close to victory. Thus, American strategy remained in the shadow of French patronage for a long time, until that connection was broken.

Britain and France against the Union

During the American Civil War, Britain waged war against the United States through its representative Confederate states. The millions of rifles it supplied to the Southerners prolonged the rebellion. The British Navy's ironclads, stationed in Bermuda, seriously weakened the naval blockade of the North. Britain's strategic goal was similar to that of the United States in the war against Russia in Ukraine: to contain a rival power. France acted as Britain's partner by invading Mexico. However, in 1864, when the defeat of the South became inevitable, Britain and France abandoned their plans.

Desperate Britain in World War I

After the war in 1914, the Allies became utterly dependent on American industry. Britain used all its "gray zone" means: propaganda, intelligence leaks, and even dubious provocations. The Zimmerman telegram was the turning point: the United States was drawn into the war.

Britain and Churchill's efforts to draw the United States into World War II were also cunning, but Franklin Roosevelt's support deprived them of their manipulative nature.

The Vulnerable USSR and the Roosevelt Administration

The Stalinist USSR, industrially backward and isolated, found help from the "advanced" Roosevelt administration. Archives opened after 1991 showed that the US government was full of pro-Soviet agents. The United States almost completely canceled Russia's war debt, provided aviation technology, and encouraged the involvement of large American corporations in Soviet industry. The USSR also stole the technology for the atomic bomb and the B-29. This was a classic example of strategic manipulation.

General conclusions

Previous attempts at foreign influence were short-term and aimed at overcoming specific crises. They mostly stopped after the end of the war, also leading to counteraction.

In contrast, Israel's influence over the past eight decades has been based on ideology. Its actions, especially in Gaza, are imbued with messianic goals that coincide with the visions of some American political forces. The idea of ​​a "Greater Israel" has become the main driving force of the Likud right and its American partners.

Thus, unlike previous foreign influences, Israel's intervention is not temporary, but long-term and systemic, aimed at dragging US policy along with it on a long path. This threatens US sovereignty.

Prepared by Arman Galoyan