Support Any Friend: Kennedy's Middle East and the Making of the U. S.-Israel Alliance (review)

Abstract

Support Any Friend: Kennedy's Middle and Making of U.S.-Israel Alliance, by Warren Bass. A Council on Foreign Relations Book. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. 336 pp. $30.00. The United States and Israel have had a fascinating and complicated special relationship extending over decades about which numerous authors (including this reviewer) have written extensively. Generally relatively brief tenure of administration has been overlooked by most students of Middle because of its limited effect on regional developments. Warren Bass, a senior fellow in U.S. foreign policy and Middle studies at Council on Foreign Relations, has examined administration and its role in region, focusing on relationship between United States and Israel, in an effort rectify that oversight. He argues that set precedents that continue to shape America's encounter with the-Middle East (book cover). He concludes: Kennedy was first American president make a major arms sale Israel, last president push hard stop Israel from getting atomic bomb, and last president reach out greatest champion of Arab nationalism, Egypt's Jamal Abd al-Nasser (book cover). Bass points out that one could call Israel an American ally by end of Kennedy's administration and, while this is overstated, it certainly marked an important point on that path. Bass overstates a claim, on page 3, that Kennedy's was the pivotal presidency in U.S.-Israel and, on page 14, asserts that Kennedy's policies stand as foundation of U.S.-Israeli alliance. The inauguration of administration in 1960 suggested possibility of change in U.S. Middle policy. There were no precise conceptions concerning appropriate course of American policy and changes that needed be made. The administration also did not seek a comprehensive resolution Arab-Israeli conflict but rather various smaller steps move in direction of a solution. To a significant degree major policy lines were determined by existing programs and approaches, but John F. seemed develop a new style that had its effect on U.S. position in Arab world and with regard Israel. launched a more activist foreign policy than that of Eisenhower. sought establish a dialogue with Arab leaders and improve climate of relations by reiteration of past policy in support of U.N. resolutions and use of American influence help establish a just and peaceful solution Arab-Israeli dispute. The tenure was also marked by a belief that peace in area was dependent on a balance of military power between Israel and Arabs, and in September 1962, United States agreed sell Israel missiles as a defense against jet aircraft supplied United Arab Republic by Soviet Union and also against potential threat of Egypt's missiles. The administration was first sell Israel modern weapons with Hawk missile defense sale. Bass suggests that Hawk precedent remains perhaps most under-appreciated milestone in U.S.-Israel relationship. This is and remains a period and subject often overlooked by students of Arab-Israeli conflict. Bass has helped correct that omission by providing a glimpse into diplomacy and politics of early 1960s utilizing new archives and recently released documents. He has provided us with insights into personalities and their diplomacy, a feel for diplomacy, and an understanding of relationship between United States and Israel and between senior players on both sides. He has put together some useful stories which are well written and dramatic in nature. …