Unintended Alliances

Historians have debated the genesis and nature of the U.S.-Israeli relationship that shaped American foreign policy in the Middle East; this new riveting interpretation redefines past historical explanations. John F. Kennedy provided Israel with the first U.S. weapons sale, issued the first informal security guarantee, and established the first joint security consultations between both nations. Ironically, Kennedy gave these concessions to contain Israel, not to establish closer relations. His objective for the Middle East was to improve U.S. relations with Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, seeing Nasser as the path for gaining pro-American sentiments among the Arab population in the region to the detriment of the Soviets. Kennedy unintentionally laid the foundations of the U.S.-Israeli alliance while trying to restrain Israel, fearing Israeli actions would impede his plans. This study rests on Kennedy s actions over the Palestinian Refugee issue, the regional arms race in the Middle East, and Israel s nuclear weapons program. A novel historical writing of U.S.-Middle Eastern relations, this work will tantalize academics and history buffs alike.