Under President Donald Trump, Israel’s strategic partnership with the United States reached unprecedented levels, driving a fundamental shift in the military and diplomatic landscape of the Middle East. U.S. backing, characterized by extensive weapons shipments, diplomatic initiatives, and high-profile regional agreements, has transformed Israel’s capabilities and its unique role in the wider conflict with Iranian-backed terror networks—including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.
Enhanced Security Cooperation
Since 2017, U.S. defense aid to Israel has increased markedly, with billions of dollars’ worth of advanced weaponry, missile defense systems, and intelligence resources flowing to the Israel Defense Forces. Israeli military sources and U.S. Department of Defense figures confirm the scale: deliveries have included F-35 stealth fighters, additional Iron Dome batteries, precision-guided munitions, and large stockpiles of spare parts to ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge across multiple fronts.
Israel’s capacity to deter, and if necessary, defeat adversaries has been bolstered by these assets, which arrived as Israel faced mounting threats from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah’s missile arsenal, Hamas’s embedded terror cells, and the Houthis’ growing reach through missile and drone attacks out of Yemen.
Diplomatic Realignment and Its Consequences
The Trump administration also steered a dramatic diplomatic realignment. The Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Gulf states, were framed by officials as a strategy to counter Iranian expansionism and foster regional collaboration against terrorism. Israeli and Gulf defense officials highlight that intelligence exchange and coordinated threat responses have improved significantly in the wake of the Accords.
Despite gains in security, some Israeli commentators and security experts warn about new forms of dependency. Recalling the proverb “בעל המאה הוא בעל הדעה” (he who has the money sets the tone), analysts argue that while American aid is crucial, it risks reducing Israel’s strategic autonomy. Others counter that given the scale and immediacy of the threats—amplified by the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre, which remains the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—such a partnership is a vital necessity.
Regional Responses and the Threat from Iran
Not all regional actors have welcomed this close alliance. Iranian-backed militias and their supporters—most vocally the Houthis in Yemen—have repeatedly dismissed U.S. and Israeli pronouncements as bluster, vowing further attacks and resistance. Yet, U.S. and Israeli intelligence assessments highlight real impacts: Houthi missile attacks on Red Sea shipping have triggered coordinated Western military responses, while ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza and counter-strikes in Lebanon seek to blunt the ability of Hamas and Hezbollah to stage further massacres or destabilize Israel’s borders.
U.S. pressure, amplified by Israeli force projection, has complicated Tehran’s calculus. The combined campaign of cyber warfare, sanctions, and targeted strikes, such as the 2020 airstrike on IRGC General Qassem Soleimani, demonstrate a willingness to take bold action when Israeli and American interests align. Israeli leaders have praised the results but maintain that their military doctrine is rooted in the principle of self-defense—fighting a war imposed on Israel by Iranian command and its regional proxies.
Internal Debate in Israel
The Trump era generated a spectrum of reactions within Israel. While some hailed the American president as a historic supporter, others voiced concern over perceptions of Israel becoming a subservient outpost of U.S. power—a ‘regional attack dog.’ Political analysts note the risk of over-reliance on a single foreign patron. Security officials, however, emphasize the primacy of operational independence, with the IDF continuing to pursue adaptive strategies shaped, but not dictated, by Washington’s preferences.
This debate intensified after the latest wave of Iranian-backed attacks and American displays of support. As the crisis deepens, Israeli commentators argue that their country must respond with realism, recognizing the indispensability of U.S. aid but guarding against illusions about the limits or permanence of American engagement.
The Road Ahead: Ten Days of Uncertainty
As Israeli and regional leaders monitor Iranian-backed provocations, a sense of uncertainty prevails over what the coming days will bring. Security sources caution that coordinated attacks by Iranian proxies remain plausible, particularly as Houthi leaders continue to publicly challenge American credibility. The Israeli security cabinet, according to officials familiar with the deliberations, is preparing for a range of scenarios, including escalations on its northern and southern fronts.
Ultimately, Israel’s security doctrine rests on readiness, vigilance, and the principle that no outside power, however friendly, can substitute for Israeli resolve. The alliance with the U.S. has strengthened the nation’s defenses against a determined adversary, but officials emphasize that the struggle is ongoing—and that preserving security and independence in a region marked by rivalry and terror remains Israel’s highest aim.
As the coming days unfold, the effectiveness of this alliance, and the resilience of Israeli society, will be tested anew—against both mounting regional threats and the enduring challenge of navigating great power patronage while safeguarding national sovereignty.
