DURING the past several weeks, the wave of protests in the Middle East and North Africa has continued to spread. Besides the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, there also have been uprisings in Algeria, Jordan, Oman, Yemen, Djibouti, Iran and Bahrain, as well as in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania and Kuwait. The United States cannot predict whether the series of protests ultimately will result in the strengthening of its alliances, or in the disintegration of its relationships in the region.
Similarly, the United States has never faced such uncertainty in its relationship with Israel, the only established democratic state in the region. The United States-Israel relationship is more than an alliance: It is a strategic partnership of two nations working together to promote democracy, freedom of speech and religion, and human rights. For several decades, American aid to Israel has resulted in tremendous benefits to the United States, enabling critical advances in areas including homeland security, medicine and technological innovation.
The United States and Israel collaborate to maintain the security of both countries through joint-training exercises and drills. American medical delegations travel to Israel to receive training in responding to mass casualties, biological warfare, complex battlefield injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder issues.
These joint efforts have introduced critical technological inventions to the American military. Israel's Arrow missile defense system, which shoots down incoming missiles at high altitudes and supersonic speeds, has strengthened the United States' preparedness for foreign attacks. By broadening American access to Israeli innovations like secure vehicle armor and emergency medical bandages, American-Israeli security cooperation has increased the survival rate of American soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the realms of medicine and technology, Israeli scientists work closely with their American counterparts. Last year, an Israeli company developed a new treatment for age-related macular degeneration, a disease affecting millions of people in the world including over eight million in the United States. People with lower limb disabilities may have the chance to stand, walk and climb stairs again with the help of ReWalk, an alternative mobility solution to the wheelchair developed in Israel. In other fields of technology, Israelis have developed Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), flash drives, instant messaging technology, modern drip irrigation emitters, flat plate solar systems and many more breakthrough advancements than could possibly fit into this list.
In an ideal world, all countries and all leaders would be able to respect each other's values and prosper as a result of universal cooperation. The world in which we live, however, is far from perfect. In our world, every true, consistent ally matters immensely. Especially during these troubled times in the Middle East, the United States and Israel must ensure the continuation and strengthening of their unique, mutually beneficial relationship.
Dalia Bolotnikov is a second-year College student.
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