Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Israel-Hamas
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
    • North Korea
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Israel-Hamas / The myth of the national security sweater, or why Israel is not the string that will unravel US hegemony for good
Israel‑Hamas, Grand strategy, Middle East

November 8, 2023

The myth of the national security sweater, or why Israel is not the string that will unravel US hegemony for good

By Robert Moore

As the Israel-Hamas conflict moves into another week, politicians and national security experts of all stripes are trotting out a tired equation regarding American national security interests: that [fill in blank event: terrorism, civil uprising, minority oppression, cross-border incursion] in [fill in blank region: Middle East, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South America] is indicative of declining U.S. power, and the U.S. must reassert unipolar global hegemony or risk existential threats.

We’ve seen the same narrative told over the past decade regarding Libya, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, Ukraine and now Israel. Each issue or conflict is the proverbial string being pulled that will unwind the entire sweater, leaving the U.S. exposed to be picked apart by our enemies.

Read at The Hill

Author

Photo of Robert Moore

Robert
Moore

Public Policy Advisor

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

In the mediaGrand strategy, Middle East

Has Trump’s ‘art of the deal’ paid off in the Middle East?

Featuring Benjamin Friedman

May 17, 2025

op-edSyria, Middle East, Sanctions

Trump’s unconventional Syria trip marks a paradigm shift

By Daniel DePetris

May 16, 2025

In the mediaSyria, Middle East, Sanctions

Syria Sanctions Lifted: Trump’s Big Move & Expert Rosemary Kelanic’s Warning

Featuring Rosemary Kelanic

May 14, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Trump has tired of Netanyahu

By Rajan Menon and Daniel DePetris

May 14, 2025

Press ReleaseSyria, Basing and force posture, Middle East

In Syria, pair sanctions relief with a troop withdrawal

By Rosemary Kelanic

May 14, 2025

op-edMiddle East, China, Iran, Syria

Backgrounder: U.S. interests in the Middle East and President Trump’s visit

By Rosemary Kelanic

May 13, 2025

Events on Israel-Hamas

See All Events
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Past Virtual Event: Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualHouthis, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East, Yemen

Past Virtual Event: Houthi conundrum: defend, degrade, or defer

March 28, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved