Why we're still arming Israel
Summary
Akbar Shahid Ahmed discusses his book *Crossing the Red Line*, arguing the Biden administration failed to enforce its own restrictions on Israel’s Gaza offensive despite acknowledging excessive civilian harm. The episode then shifts to the Trump administration’s proposal to sell 400 one-ton bunker buster bombs to Israel, a move that reverses previous Biden-era restrictions. Hosts explain the mechanics of US arms sales and congressional opposition, noting that while Trump claims to have influence over Netanyahu, the new deal signals a continuation of heavy US military support for Israel.
Topics discussed
Intro: Jabalya bombing and the return of 2000lb bombs
Defining the 'Red Line': Biden's warning on Rafah
The Rafah offensive and the failure to enforce consequences
Biden's personal Zionism and historical US support for Israel
Turning an Israeli campaign into an American war
The '9/11' framing and its dangers for US policy
Early warnings of genocide and the 'blank check' policy
Biden's options and the World Central Kitchen strike
Lessons from the Biden era on US-Israel relations
Trump's proposed $2.8B arms deal and 2000lb bombs
Historical context of US arms sales to Israel
How weapons sales work: FMS vs. Foreign Military Financing
Congressional opposition and the national security override
Trump-Netanyahu dynamics and bureaucratic motivations
Continuity vs. change in US-Israel relations under Trump
Listen ad-free on Castria