An increasing number of policy makers are calling for a redefinition of the U.S. relationship with Israel—rejecting the notion of Israel dependency on the United States in favor of sovereignty, strength, and strategic parity. Amiad Cohen outlines a vision based on national self-reliance and geopolitical realism.
Cohen is a commander of a front-line IDF reserve unit and has served in active duty and reserves. He is also the founder and director of the Center for Israeli Liberty, the country's conservative think tank focused on cultivating a new generation of leaders rooted in free markets, national security, and a robust Israeli identity.
According to Cohen, Israel is best served by asserting itself as a fully independent nation, not a client of the United States. “Israel should never ask anyone else to fight its battles,” he says. He clarifies that the country “doesn't need to ask anyone to fund its wars,” and “doesn't need anyone to do anything for it without its full interest.”
From his vantage point, a strong and sovereign Israel is not just in Israel’s interest—but in America’s. “A successful Israel is an American interest,” he insists, “not for American troops to run the Middle East, but actually Israeli troops sitting on the border between Iraq and Iran.”
He argues that the longstanding military aid relationship between the U.S. and Israel is outdated and counterproductive. “Today it’s 0.76% of Israeli GDP. It’s a waste of diplomatic capital for a small amount of money.”
Instead, he proposes a joint military R&D fund where both nations invest equally, building mutual innovation and strategic capability without dependence. “We want to have an equal partnership, an alliance, and not a one-way ticket,” he says.
He is critical of what he sees as American attempts to suppress Israeli innovation and strength, citing the historical example of U.S. pressure that halted Israel’s domestic fighter jet program. He claims that America has strategic interests in maintaining Israel as a client rather than a partner, and he sees this as a problem that has weakened Israel militarily and politically. “We are paying a price,” he says, “because we're unwilling to win a clear victory on our enemies.”
In Cohen’s eyes, this philosophy of strength parallels the American MAGA movement. He believes the Israeli right and the MAGA right share a belief in national strength, sovereignty, and tradition. “International affairs is a Hobbesian world,” Cohen says. “You need to respect the strong.”
Geopolitically, Israel has passed a tipping point in regional security, according to Cohen. “Hezbollah is totally disarmed from the southern part of Lebanon… their command and control structure is totally destroyed.”
Though cautious, he says “Hamas is on its way to decline and is not an existential threat anymore.” He says that Israel’s enemies are deterred for now, and that “a decisive victory” would strengthen Israel’s diplomatic position and alliances.
Cohen believes that Trump will aim to prevent global war, particularly with China, by realigning global alliances. “Trump is trying to break all the evil axis alliances… and build a strong industry and army to deter China.”
In the Middle East, this means expecting regional players to resolve local conflicts themselves. Cohen characterizes Trump’s view as “I don’t have munitions, money, attention to invest in your local nonsense,” so “get your act together.”
He warns that Iran’s regime is vulnerable internally due to water and energy shortages, and that Israel may soon act. “The goal of Israel's attack will be to topple down the Iranian regime,” he says. “I believe the probability of that happening is 50% in the next couple of months.” Such a campaign, he explains, would start with internal destabilization before striking nuclear facilities.
Cohen says a reshaped Middle East will consist of smaller, decentralized states replacing the artificial borders of the Sykes-Picot legacy. “The real outcome will be a lot of small local states.”
He views Qatar as the world’s most dangerous actor. “Qatar is the smartest actor in the world today… a Muslim Brotherhood, jihadist, crazy Sunni Muslim country gaining power by money.” Turkey, he says, will only rise when others fall.
In Cohen’s view, the US and Israel should trade on their strengths. “Israel had a very healthy society and a very sick political system; America has a very healthy political system and a declining culture.” But each can learn from the other. Israel should adopt American political structures, and America should rediscover its traditional values through Israel’s example.
It’s the best way for Israel in particular, he says, “to build the country and fight against the evil jihadist or the nihilist secular world.”
