America, Israel, and Empire are at the heart of the most pressing geopolitical debates of our time. In this episode of the podcast, Professor David Gibbs from the University of Arizona joins Mouin Rabbani to dissect the historical evolution of the U.S.-Israel relationship and how it fits into the broader framework of American global hegemony.

Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgcni7PZwVA

1. The Reality of America, Israel, and Empire

The relationship between America, Israel, and Empire is often misunderstood as a simple one-way street. Professor Gibbs explores the “special relationship,” questioning whether Israel serves as a strategic asset for American imperial interests or if the relationship has become a liability that drags the U.S. into unnecessary regional conflicts.

2. Historical Roots: From Cold War to Regional Hegemony

Understanding America, Israel, and Empire requires looking back at the Cold War. Gibbs highlights how the U.S. initially viewed Israel through the lens of containing Soviet influence. Over decades, this evolved into a deeper military and intelligence partnership that serves as a cornerstone of U.S. power projection in West Asia.

3. The Role of Covert Interventions

A specialist in CIA history, Professor Gibbs sheds light on the “shadow side” of America, Israel, and Empire. From regime changes to covert support for various factions, the discussion reveals how intelligence services have shaped the Middle East to align with imperial objectives, often with devastating long-term consequences.

4. Is the U.S. an Empire or a Republic?

One of the most provocative points in the conversation is the tension between the U.S. acting as a democratic republic and its behavior as a global empire. Gibbs argues that maintaining a “world empire” necessitates a massive military-industrial complex that often overrides the needs and will of the American public.

5. The “Client State” Paradox

In the context of America, Israel, and Empire, the line between the patron (USA) and the client (Israel) often blurs. The podcast explores how Israel has developed significant leverage over U.S. policy, sometimes leading the “Empire” to take actions that seem to contradict its own broader strategic interests.

6. Militarism and the Cost of Intervention

Gibbs discusses his research on foreign interventions—from the Congo to Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. He illustrates a pattern where America, Israel, and Empire dynamics prioritize military solutions over diplomacy, leading to a cycle of “forever wars” that drain resources and destabilize entire regions.

7. The Ukraine and Russia Connection

Drawing parallels to the Middle East, the conversation touches on the conflict in Ukraine. Gibbs argues that the expansionist tendencies of the American empire and its refusal to recognize the security concerns of other powers (like Russia) are a recurring theme in U.S. foreign policy.

8. The “Israel Lobby” and Domestic Policy

No discussion on America, Israel, and Empire is complete without addressing domestic politics. Professor Gibbs explains how interest groups and campaign financing create a political environment where questioning the U.S.-Israel alliance is often seen as a “career-ender” for politicians.

9. Potential for a Multi-Polar World

With the rise of the BRICS nations and shifting alliances, is the era of the American “Empire” coming to an end? Gibbs and Rabbani discuss whether the current global order can sustain the heavy-handed interventions that have characterized the last several decades.

10. Reflections on Future Diplomacy

The episode concludes with a call for a more restrained and realistic U.S. foreign policy. Moving away from the rigid structures of America, Israel, and Empire might be the only way to achieve true regional stability and protect the interests of the American people.

Further Reading and Resources:

  • For a deep dive into U.S. interventionism, read David Gibbs’ book First Do No Harm: Humanitarian Intervention and the Destruction of Yugoslavia.

  • Explore more on the history of the CIA at the National Security Archive.

  • Follow Professor Gibbs’ latest research and publications on his University of Arizona Faculty Page.

Internal Link: Read our previous analysis of the America First or Israel First debate with Scott Horton.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgcni7PZwVA