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Entry: A Chosen People without God--The Rise of the Neocons Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/a_chosen_people_without_god_the_rise_of_the_neocons#20243 Post contents: In response to Jim and Ed: U.S. national interest refers usually to what the American people, through their elected political institutions, regard as their core security and economic strategic interests that they are willing to protect, including if necessary through the use of military force. An over-extension of U.S. power to achieve goals that go beyond these national interests, end-up producing opposition at home that lead to changes in policy -- sooner or later. That assumes of course that the "system" (Congress, etc.) is still operating. Now.. it's impossible to define "Jewish interests" because there isn't a central government representing Jews in America, Russia, France, Finland, etc. Israel, on the other hand, is supposed to be a "normal" nation-state with security and economic interests that contrary to the neocon axiom -- what's good for Israel is good for America, and vice versa -- are not the same as those of the U.S. In fact, the interests of the Israeli state (btw, more than twenty percent of its citizens are not Jewish) are not even the same as those of Jewish communities in the U.S. and elsewhere. And to make things even more complex, there is a vigorous debate inside Israel on what is exactly Israel's long-term interests. I personally think that recognizing this reality and by extension, moving to "normalize" U.S.-Israel relationship (in my books "Sandstorm" and "Quagmire") I call for gradual U.S. disengagement from the Middle East) would benefit both the long-term interests of the U.S. -- and Israel. Sent at: 2008 09 05