U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership

For decades, support for Israel has often been framed as a matter of shared values, historical ties, or moral obligation. Those factors matter. But there is another reason Congress should continue to strengthen the U.S.-Israel defense relationship: it directly advances American national security.

At a time when the United States faces growing challenges from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and transnational terrorist organizations, Washington needs capable allies that can help shoulder the burden of defending Western interests. In the Middle East, no ally is more capable, innovative, or reliable than Israel. The partnership is not charity. It is a strategic investment that generates significant returns for the American people.

First, Israel serves as America’s most advanced security partner in a volatile region. The United States and Israel cooperate closely on intelligence, military planning, training, exercises, and technology development. This collaboration helps both nations confront common threats, particularly from Iran and its network of proxies. As American defense planners increasingly focus on great-power competition in Asia and Europe, having a strong and capable partner in the Middle East reduces the burden on U.S. forces while helping maintain regional stability.

Second, Israel provides the United States with access to some of the most combat-tested military technologies in the world. Unlike many defense innovations that remain confined to laboratories, Israeli systems are often developed and refined under real operational conditions. Missile defense, counter-drone systems, cyber defense, artificial intelligence applications, and directed-energy weapons are all areas in which Israel has demonstrated significant innovation. American forces benefit when those technologies are jointly developed, tested, and fielded.

The growing collaboration on missile defense illustrates this point. Joint development programs have helped produce capabilities that protect Israeli civilians while generating lessons and technologies relevant to the United States and its allies. The emergence of high-energy laser systems such as Iron Beam may prove equally important. As America seeks affordable ways to defeat drones, cruise missiles, and mass attacks, Israeli experience can shorten development timelines and reduce costs for U.S. programs.

Third, defense cooperation strengthens the American industrial base. Much of the security assistance provided to Israel ultimately supports U.S. manufacturing, engineering, and defense production. But the future of the relationship should go beyond traditional aid. Modern warfare is increasingly defined by the speed at which new technologies can be developed, integrated, produced, and deployed. Joint research, co-development, and co-production allow the United States to access innovation more rapidly while creating jobs and strengthening critical supply chains at home.

This is particularly important because Israel is one of the world’s most innovative economies. Congressional Research Service analysis notes that closer collaboration with highly innovative partners can improve American access to critical technologies and emerging capabilities. In an era defined by artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber warfare, and advanced manufacturing, innovation is itself a national security asset.

Critics sometimes portray support for Israel as a one-sided commitment. The opposite is closer to the truth. The United States benefits from intelligence sharing, operational experience, advanced technology, industrial cooperation, and a dependable ally that consistently aligns with American strategic objectives. The relationship gives Americans access to capabilities and expertise that would be far more expensive and time-consuming to develop alone.

Congress should therefore view U.S.-Israel defense cooperation not as foreign assistance, but as a national security partnership. In an increasingly dangerous world, America's strength depends not only on its own capabilities, but also on the quality of its allies. Israel remains one of America's closest, most innovative, and most effective partners. Supporting that partnership is not simply good for Israel. It is good for the security, prosperity, and strategic advantage of the United States.

Good things,

Ari Sacher