Reply #25: BTA, I've often heard defenders of American ME policy

[Truth2Tell]

cite our need to defend the "only democracy" in the area, and the "top American ally" in the region, when it comes to our military presence there. Many even argue that our alliance with Israel, and the ways it affects our ME decision making, are "crucial" to our national security. I think there is some truth to that but that it's been way overplayed. And yes, our alliances with dictators have been the root of our failures. But remember, there would have been no Camp David and likely no detente with Egypt or Jordan for Israel, if it weren't for leaders in those countries bought and paid for by the USA.