A top American general says he may have to choose between protecting Israel and protecting the United States. The first question is not which one he should choose. It is why Donald Trump allowed that choice to exist.
Donald Trump built his political movement around two words: America First.
He promised that American troops, American money, and American weapons would no longer be wasted protecting the rest of the world while our own country was ignored. That promise helped return him to the White House.
Now a top United States general has privately warned the Pentagon that he may not have enough Navy destroyers to continue protecting both Israel and the American homeland.
Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of U.S. European Command, reportedly told Pentagon officials that unless he receives another destroyer, he may be forced to place the defense of the United States ahead of Israel. (The Washington Post)
That should be an easy decision.
The disturbing part is that it became a decision at all.
The United States has not simply helped Israel defend itself. According to Pentagon assessments reported by The Washington Post, American forces have carried much of the burden of intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at Israel.
The United States fired more than 200 THAAD interceptors—roughly half of its total inventory—along with more than 100 advanced missiles launched from Navy ships. Israel reportedly fired fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and about 90 David’s Sling interceptors. (The Washington Post)
Israel conserved much of its most advanced ammunition while the United States emptied its own shelves.
Now the shelves are becoming bare.
A recent analysis found that the American stockpile of Patriot interceptors may have fallen by at least 65 percent since the war began. The THAAD inventory may be down by at least 38 percent. Replacing many of these weapons will take years, not months. (AP News)
The war has already cost an estimated $37.5 billion, and the Pentagon is asking Congress for another $67 billion to replenish the military. American service members have died, gasoline prices have risen, and our ability to respond to another conflict has been weakened. (AP News)
Trump launched this war beside Israel without congressional approval. He assured Americans that Iran would be defeated quickly and that the United States would remain strong.
Instead, Iran still has missiles, the Strait of Hormuz remains contested, American ships are being worn down, and a senior general is warning that he may soon lack the forces necessary to carry out all his missions.
This does not prove that Trump sat down one morning and consciously decided to betray America. The general reportedly said that if forced to choose, he would protect the American homeland. The Pentagon also insists that the military still has the ability to protect Americans and American interests. (The Washington Post)
But it does prove that Trump’s policy has brought us close enough to the edge that an American commander had to put the choice in writing.
Israel has the right to defend itself. It also has its own military, its own missile-defense systems and its own government responsible for protecting its citizens.
The president of the United States has a different responsibility.
His first duty is to protect the United States.
What does America First mean when American sailors, ships, and missiles are being used so heavily to defend another country that our own generals begin worrying about what will remain for us?
Does it mean Israel protects its ammunition while America uses ours?
Does it mean American taxpayers spend another $67 billion replacing weapons used in a war they were never asked to approve?
Does it mean our military must choose between defending an ally and defending our own homeland?
Trump may not have sold America itself, but he appears to have sold Americans a slogan.
When a president makes the American homeland compete with Israel for American weapons, that is no longer America First.
That is America hoping there is something left.