As Israel finds itself at the epicenter of a multifront conflict orchestrated by Iran’s network of terror proxies, the necessity of self-reliance—military, strategic, and moral—has become a focal point of national debate. Drawing lessons from America’s high-profile military failures in Vietnam and Iraq, policymakers and the Israeli public are reexamining the inherent risks of depending upon even the staunchest allied superpowers, especially during existential crises.
America’s Long Wars: Facts, Failures, and the Burden of Intervention
In 1959, at the height of the Cold War, the United States intervened in Vietnam to prevent the communist North from conquering the South. What began as a program of military aid and advisory roles swiftly escalated: by 1964, broad aerial bombardments and an enormous American combat presence defined the conflict. Despite advanced weaponry and overwhelming manpower, U.S. forces were ensnared by guerrilla warfare. Shaped by ingenious tunnel networks, the Viet Cong’s tactics rendered rapid victory impossible and prolonged the war for years.
The cost for America was staggering: tens of thousands of lives lost, rampant addiction and trauma among the troops, and a profound moral crisis at home. As American soldiers struggled with the war’s ambiguities and returning veterans suffered widespread psychological damage, the vision of American invincibility faded.
Iraq: Removing Dictators, Unleashing Chaos
Four decades later, the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq initially succeeded in toppling Saddam Hussein. Yet the vacuum left by regime change unleashed a torrent of sectarian violence and extremism. The effort to suppress terrorism ultimately strengthened local militias, with Iran asserting increasing influence through its proxies. Rather than stabilizing the region, intervention often sowed new instability, highlighting the law of unintended consequences that so often marks external involvement in the Middle East.
Implications for Israel: The Cost of Reliance
For Israel, these American experiences are more than cautionary tales—they are urgent reminders that national security is non-delegable. America remains a vital ally, supplying technology, arms, and critical diplomatic support, yet history and hard reality underscore that Israeli survival must hinge on sovereign initiative, operational independence, and the capacity for decisive self-defense. Wars imposed by Iranian-backed terror entities such as Hamas—responsible for the October 7, 2023 massacre, the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust—as well as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and affiliated forces, leave Israel with no margin for error.
The October 7 massacre, in which Hamas terrorists executed, abducted, and mutilated innocent Israeli civilians in a coordinated assault, underscored with harrowing clarity that terror organizations driven by Iranian funding and ideology pose threats unlike any conventional military adversary. The continuing war—across Gaza, Israel’s north, and even the Red Sea—owes its origins not to disputed borders or grievances, but to Iran’s systematic campaign to obliterate Jewish sovereignty and destabilize the region.
Divine Faith and National Realism
Amid existential threats, Israelis invoke both their enduring faith and practical experience: prayer and calls for divine mercy go hand in hand with ceaseless preparation, military readiness, and social resilience. While recent messages circulating locally urge prayer for national salvation—and warn against misplaced trust in non-Jewish allies—the core national ethos unites scripture with pragmatic security doctrine: faith is a source of strength, but the defense of life requires action and independence.
Strategic Innovation and Defense: Learning from the Past
Israel has turned historical lessons into military doctrine. The development of the Iron Dome, deep intelligence capabilities, and advanced operational tactics all reflect a society that has absorbed and implemented the findings of earlier allied failures. As American wars recalibrated global perceptions of military power, Israel doubled down on innovation to compensate for its small size, strategic isolation, and the unique threats posed by enemy tunnel networks and urban warfare—challenges America struggled to overcome in Vietnam and Iraq.
Hostages, Human Shields, and the Asymmetry of Terror
The current hostage crisis, in which innocent Israelis remain captive in Hamas-controlled Gaza, highlights the fundamental contrast between Israel and its foes. Israel’s campaign for their return is guided by the highest moral and legal standards, distinguishing between innocent civilians and convicted terrorists who may be exchanged—a reflection of Israel’s commitment to human life and the rule of law, which stands in stark relief against the actions of Hamas and its affiliates.
Moral and Geopolitical Distinctions
Israel, as a democracy under siege, conducts its operations with the objective of protecting civilians—often at significant tactical cost. This sharply differs from the terror strategies of Hamas and other Iranian-backed organizations, which target noncombatants, use civilian infrastructure for attacks, and flout international law. The war imposed on Israel by these entities is not merely a military contest but a test of the West’s values and principles in the face of unrepentant antisemitic violence.
Policy, Politics, and the Israeli-American Alliance
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir consistently emphasize that every Israeli military operation is an act of self-defense. While robust friendship with the United States—and, by extension, other Western democracies—remains a cornerstone of Israeli diplomacy, recent American retrenchments (from Vietnam to Afghanistan) have only reinforced Jerusalem’s insistence on maintaining security autonomy. Diplomatic debates at the United Nations and in world capitals have made clear that, at critical junctures, Israel’s fate rests on its own resolve—the interests of allies can shift, while national survival permits no ambiguity.
Conclusion: A Commitment to Self-Defense
Reflecting on the lessons of American intervention, Israel’s leadership and citizenry are unanimous: Never again will Jewish security depend on the fluctuating will or imperfect power of outside actors. The state of Israel—built by survivors and pioneers—stands on a foundation of self-reliance, unity, and clear-eyed recognition of moral and historical truths. Iran’s terror proxies seek to exploit perceived weakness; Israel’s answer, rooted in memory and mission, is steadfast determination to fight, defend, and survive.
