The Obama Administration’s Approach to U.S.-Israel Security Cooperation

For more than 50 years, U.S. presidents and policymakers have generally agreed that a strong and secure Israel at peace with its neighbors is vital to America’s strategic interests. Under the Obama administration, recent efforts to achieve this goal have focused on strengthening the U.S.-Israeli security relationship, both to ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge and to advance prospects for a comprehensive peace.

On July 16, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro for a discussion of the state of the U.S.-Israeli security relationship, and the Obama administration’s ongoing efforts to make this relationship even stronger. Assistant Secretary Shapiro highlighted recent efforts to expand defense consultations, security assistance programs, and partnerships in training, defense technology and related fields. Senior Fellow Kenneth Pollack, director of the Saban Center, provided introductory remarks. Vice President Martin Indyk, director of Foreign Policy at Brookings, moderated the discussion.