As I was analyzing the military aid imbalance in the Middle East, particularly the U.S. military aid, I noticed something striking from the data in my composite chart. The main reason the region remains unstable is the wrong form of U.S. military aid and its uneven distribution. Let me break this down.
The Imbalance in U.S. Military Aid: Israel has been the primary recipient of U.S. military aid since the 1960s. This aid includes both offensive and defensive systems, with billions of dollars flowing annually to maintain Israel’s military edge over its neighbors.
The only other country in the region that has received substantial U.S. military aid, not humanitarian aid, is Egypt. However, notice the key point here: Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty in 1979, and since then, there's been relative peace between the two countries. This shows that military aid can support peace if handled appropriately.
Interestingly, the only country in the Middle East that receives military aid from both the U.S. and other countries (like the EU) is Saudi Arabia. Why? Because of its strategic importance—an oxymoron for oil. Everyone wants a piece of the Saudi oil pie, so Saudi Arabia enjoys military support from all sides. But at what cost?
So What’s the Problem? The problem with U.S. military aid isn't that it's given—it's who it’s given to and how it’s used. Here’s the big issue:
Palestine and other countries in the region, including Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, do not receive similar military support. The U.S. focuses on maintaining Israel's military advantage, which contributes to an imbalance of power in the region. This has fueled cycles of violence between Israel and groups like Hamas in Gaza, where civilians bear the brunt of the conflict. The result? Continued instability. A lack of trust. And a focus on military superiority rather than peacebuilding.
The Way Forward: 3 Potential Solutions I believe there are three viable options to address this imbalance and work toward regional peace:
a) Military Aid to Both Palestine and Israel The U.S. model that worked for Egypt could be applied here. By providing military aid to both sides (Palestinians and Israelis), it could even the playing field, reduce the perception of imbalance, and incentivize peace. This could bring the kind of balance that helped maintain peace between Israel and Egypt.
b) Defensive Military Aid for All Countries in the Region (Sell Domes for All!) A more comprehensive approach would be to provide defensive systems, like the Iron Dome, to all countries in the region. Defensive aid would protect civilians on all sides, reduce casualties, and disincentivize offensive military actions. Imagine if countries like Palestine, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Iran had defensive shields to protect their populations. It could help lower the risk of conflict escalation.
c) Completely Shift to Alternative Energy Sources At the end of the day, a lot of these geopolitical tensions boil down to one thing: oil. By shifting the world’s energy dependency to alternative sources, we could reduce the strategic importance of oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. As oil loses its importance, the need to gain territorial advantages diminishes, and the entire region could potentially de-escalate.
Why It All Comes Down to Money Ultimately, this entire conversation boils down to money. Whether it’s maintaining dominance in the oil markets or ensuring military superiority, the region’s conflicts are often about securing resources and maintaining power.
If we truly want to achieve peace in the Middle East, we need to address the root causes of the conflict. And that starts with rethinking how military aid is distributed and focusing on defensive solutions rather than fueling offensive capabilities.
TL;DR: The U.S. military aid policy in the Middle East is wrong because it focuses on creating imbalances rather than fostering peace. The only way forward is to either provide military aid to both Israel and Palestine, shift to defensive aid for all countries in the region, or fully transition to non-oil energy sources. In the end, it’s all about money and power—and addressing that is key to lasting peace.
Let me know your thoughts!
The Wrong Kind of U.S. Military Aid in the Middle East: A Case for Change
byu/dullbrowny ingeopolitics
5 Comments
Why the hell would you send military aid to both sides in a conflict
A pathetically flimsy premise. Israel resembles a western society in all metrics like education, womens rights, the right to religion, and many other freedoms that make western civilization what it is.
Palestine’s chief trait is their devotion to their god who they believe is supreme (but for some reason does not help them destroy the west).
If you were to arm people like this, the weapons you give them will be one day be used against you.
It’s a nice try though. Islamists and far leftists have not succeeded in changing the narrative, but clearly not for want of trying.
So the idea is that Hamas, Houthis and Hezbollah initiated their attacks because they lacked defensive weapons? This is absurd. Did you even bother to understand their history and motivation?
The entire submission is ridiculous. Did Iraq go to war with Iran because they lacked weapons? Was there a revolt in Syria because there weren’t enough weapons?
Palestine is not a country. Why would you sell arms to terrorists who are constantly trying to destroy their neighbors?
bro thinks us wants peace