From Jerusalem to Washington: The Dynamics of Israel-US Relations

This lecture offers a unique opportunity to explore the complexities and nuances of the U.S.-Israel relationship from Israel’s perspective. From Jerusalem’s vantage point, the bilateral relationship is viewed as one of vital strategic importance, rooted in shared democratic values, security concerns, and mutual interests in the Middle East. Israel sees the United States as its primary ally, providing indispensable diplomatic, military, and economic support, especially in the face of regional challenges and threats. The partnership also encompasses joint efforts in counterterrorism, intelligence-sharing, and advancing regional stability. At the same time, Israel is attentive to the current political dynamics within the U.S., understanding that shifts in American leadership and policies can impact the nature of the alliance. The talk will identify the drivers of Israeli foreign and secuerity policy and underscore how the U.S. fits into Israel’s national security outlook, while also navigating the complexities of global politics and its own national interests.

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Dr. Ilai Saltzman is an Associate Research Professor of Israel Studies, and the Director of the Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. His scholarship and teaching focus on international security, Israeli foreign and security policy, US foreign policy, and political psychology. Dr. Saltzman is the author of Securitizing Balance of Power Theory: A Polymorphic Reconceptualization (2012). He has also written numerous scholarly articles, and book chapters, as well as commentaries in the Los Angeles Times, Ha’aretz, The Jerusalem Post, and other prominent outlets. Dr. Saltzman earned his Ph.D. in International Relations in 2010.