Considerations

Foreign Policy and the Center for American Progress recently asked more than 100 experts a series of questions for The Terrorism Index, one of which was: "Which American ally 'least serves U.S. interests'?" The answer was interesting:

1. Russia -- 34%
2. Pakistan -- 22%
3. Saudi Arabia -- 17%
4. Israel -- 14%
5. Mexico -- 5%
6. Egypt -- 5%

Russia has made provocative statements towards the West, allegedly waged cyberwar on a neighboring country, postured aggressively and virtually eliminated democracy. The country can afford to do these things because its vast amount of natural resources (which climate change will only increase due to melting snow and ice in the north) allows it not to be dependent on other countries. In fact, much of Europe now depends on Russia for its natural gas. After years of humility following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia seems to be enjoying its newfound soft power.

Pakistan is currently a semi-useful ally. President Gen. Musharraf is helping the United States and fighting Islamic extremists with one hand tied behind his back. If he cracks down too much, then he risks a coup, violent uprisings or even assassination. Moreover, the moderate majority is losing confidence in the president because of his actions that threaten the country's democracy and the rule of law. If Pakistan falls to the extremists, then terrorists will have access to the country's nuclear weapons.

Saudi Arabia is also an tentative ally despite being an Islamic theocracy. The moderate Sunni Muslim government supplies the West with its necessary energy resources and serves a counterweight to a resurgent Iran, which is exporting terrorism and Shi'ite Muslim extremism. However, Saudi Arabia made a Devil's bargain with its own Sunni extremists (including, of course, Al-Qaeda) decades ago by agreeing to fund and export their beliefs in order to gain clerical support to stay in power. The country, then, can only do so much to help the United States.

Israel is a very important ally. Of course, many academics and activists on the extreme left -- some of whom may have been included in this survey -- constantly condemn the country for its alleged mistreatment of the Palestinians. (Some real, some imagined and some justified, some not.) A significant faction of these people believe that Israel can do no right, and therefore the United States should not be the country's ally out of moral -- some would say anti-Semitic -- concerns.

An obvious statement is that the United States' support for Israel also inspires and enrages Islamic extremists throughout the world. But the cost is worth the benefit. Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Jordan together comprise a moderate block that opposes Iran, Hamas and Hizbollah. A balance of power must be maintained against the forces of extremism, and Israel has the Middle East's best military (thanks, of course, to the United States). Israel's Mossad and Shin Bet agencies also provide valuable intelligence.

The listing of Mexico is mystifying because our economies depend on each other. I can only attribute the country's listing to conservative respondents who oppose Mexico's desire for the United States to change its immigration policies to allow more people into the country legally.

Egypt is another country that, for the aforementioned reasons, is an important ally. However, the government of President Hosni Mubarak has turned Egypt into a secular, authoritarian police state that crushes all opposition, including that of the moderately Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. As a result, much of the "Egyptian street" is angry at the United States for supporting such a despot. No one knows what would happen if the Muslim Brotherhood, or another opposition group, were to gain power.

(For more historical background on Islamic extremism and Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as other Middle Eastern countries, click here.)

The question on posed to the experts on America's allies is interesting in terms of the answers given. Russia is the only country that seems to be working against the United States in certain contexts. (Israel, of course, is a staunch ally.) By listing Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the respondents seem to state that these three countries have the greatest potential to turn away from the United States because of political conditions in those states. We'll see what will happen.

Now Available: E-Book download: "Let­ters from Israel: An Amer­i­can journalist’s adven­tures in the Holy Land."

Related posts:

1. Obama in Egypt
2. Iran and Egypt
3. Iran’s Tentacles
4. Attacking Iran
5. Palestinian Society