The recent Palestinian-Israeli conflict was sparked by the killing of three Israeli teens and the quid pro quo killing of a Palestinian youth. However, this conflict runs much deeper throughout history as oppression of the Palestinian people and proportionality of violence raises much concern for US interests abroad. The use of asymmetric violence is rooted in the theory of jus in bello (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_war_theory) and has numerous implications for US Foreign Policy.
First, the missiles used by Israel are "Made in America," by US contractors. The current year estimate for US foreign aid to Israel is $3.1 to $4.0 billion (see CRS report http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf). Second, the US-Israeli military aid serves as justification for Mr. Netanyahu to conduct asymmetric warfare. Without consequences of withholding aid, there is little reason for Mr. Netanyahu to compromise on settlements. Land for peace and the return to UN Security Council Resolution 242 is a cornerstone of the Palestinian insurgency. Third, the presence of U.S. troops in the Gulf and support for Israeli war crimes was a primary greivance of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Fourth, the slaughter of civilians in Gaza will only increase despair, oppression and hopelessness of the Palestinian population. This increases the likelihood of violence and uprising over the long run. Fifth, the insurgency can become significantly more complicated if Hizballah begins operations from the northern front. Israel can continue to destroy the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza, but the economic, social and opportunity cost is exponential if a multiethnic war breaks out on two fronts.
The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict is far from symmetrical. Israeli missiles have been flying into the homes of Palestinian civilians, complete with "Made in America" logos from Lockheed and Northrop Grumman. The slaughter of civilians gives the insurgency just cause, irrespective of Hamas' use of hospitals and schools for shelter. According to Boot, Byman, Killcullen, Nagl, et al, the use of hellfire missiles to combat an insurgency is a misguided strategic plan. The violation of jus ad bellum principles of warfare impedes the ability of the U.S. to conduct sound foreign policy when the time comes to clean up the mess left by Netanyahu.
First, the missiles used by Israel are "Made in America," by US contractors. The current year estimate for US foreign aid to Israel is $3.1 to $4.0 billion (see CRS report http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RL33222.pdf). Second, the US-Israeli military aid serves as justification for Mr. Netanyahu to conduct asymmetric warfare. Without consequences of withholding aid, there is little reason for Mr. Netanyahu to compromise on settlements. Land for peace and the return to UN Security Council Resolution 242 is a cornerstone of the Palestinian insurgency. Third, the presence of U.S. troops in the Gulf and support for Israeli war crimes was a primary greivance of the attacks on September 11, 2001. Fourth, the slaughter of civilians in Gaza will only increase despair, oppression and hopelessness of the Palestinian population. This increases the likelihood of violence and uprising over the long run. Fifth, the insurgency can become significantly more complicated if Hizballah begins operations from the northern front. Israel can continue to destroy the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza, but the economic, social and opportunity cost is exponential if a multiethnic war breaks out on two fronts.
The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict is far from symmetrical. Israeli missiles have been flying into the homes of Palestinian civilians, complete with "Made in America" logos from Lockheed and Northrop Grumman. The slaughter of civilians gives the insurgency just cause, irrespective of Hamas' use of hospitals and schools for shelter. According to Boot, Byman, Killcullen, Nagl, et al, the use of hellfire missiles to combat an insurgency is a misguided strategic plan. The violation of jus ad bellum principles of warfare impedes the ability of the U.S. to conduct sound foreign policy when the time comes to clean up the mess left by Netanyahu.
