Bryen Quoted in Jewish Week (NY) Article on U.S. Aid to Israel Under Obama Administration, 11/30/2010
Strategic Ties And Obama’s Kishkes
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
James D. Besser
Washington Correspondent
A U.S.-Israel strategic relationship that has been a bulwark of Israel’s security for decades may be on the skids — not because of any material change in cooperation between the two military powers but because of the perception that President Barack Obama no longer regards Israel as a critical strategic partner.
Strategic Ties And Obama’s Kishkes
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
James D. Besser
Washington Correspondent
A U.S.-Israel strategic relationship that has been a bulwark of Israel’s security for decades may be on the skids — not because of any material change in cooperation between the two military powers but because of the perception that President Barack Obama no longer regards Israel as a critical strategic partner.
That perception may have more to do with the president’s cool, detached approach to most issues than with a determination that Israel is no longer critical to U.S. security goals. But observers say anything that adds to Israeli angst about the critical relationship could have far-reaching — and unintended — consequences.
Barry Rubin, director of Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and a persistent and strong Obama critic, conceded that “on the material level” the relationship hasn’t changed. But Rubin said that it has “on the level of trust … since President Obama is obviously so personally cool, since the administration is so clueless about the Middle East. I don’t think Israel has much faith in this government and will not take risks based on its say-so.”