http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/U.S._Assistance_to_Israel1.html

That goes from 1949 - 2005

Interesting - how does that compare to the aid we provide Europe & Africa? I wonder how we compare in terms of giving when jux other countries? I am willing to bet we really don't give as much as many folks think for the amount of money we have.

http://esdb.cdie.org/cgi-bin/broker.exe?_program=gbkprogs.country_list.sas&_ser vice=default

has info on US loans to foreign countries

2 things to note: It looks like, for the most part, that Isreal's aid peaked under Carter. But I bet that number would look HUGE if you corrected everything for inflation. In today's dollars, it would be $12.63 Billion. Past year, about $2.7 Billion.

For those saying 'who's next' just keep in mind that bush's iraq fiasco has our military stretched out so far it pretty much can't happen.

I almost wonder if this is bush's form of a non-agression pact with SA and pakistan. If they mounted another attack against the US the chances of us being able to do anything about it have been dramatically diminished.

Actually 350, while there are alot of ground troops in Iraq there are certainly many more stateside and at our "forward bases?" around the world.
Who isn't in Iraq in any notable numbers is the Navy and the Air Force (I think we may have more USCG there than Navy); this does not bode well for "who's next" (not that there is a whos next). While our Army and Marines can be slowed down by a well-organized military, the USAF and the Navy are pretty untouchable and can do alot more damage in a very short time span.

Considering the action GW waged on two different fronts, I gotta believe that any other aggressor would think twice before getting jiggy with the US - maybe a different story if Kerry got in.

Good point !!!

I had thought about that when reading it on another thread..

I found myself in Israel ( Haifa ) about 7 or 8 times during late 80's and thought that it was the most Westernized place I have ever seen ....
American Primetime TV ( before satalite boom ) and ALL the comforts of good ol' USA ... I used to have to sit in the Police station all night sometimes as a Laison between Navy and Locals.... Israel was one of my favorite places to go to while in the NAVY.. Now if I compare it to Alexandria Egypt or Cairo for that matter.... whoaaa what a difference... There are nice places in Egypt, but only for the rich...

Anyway, Israel didn't get that way by themselves, and I'm sure that relatives here in the US had influence as well... but it's like US #2, only with people walking around with guns.. I'm sure its even way nicer today...

I do miss this Female Major( or something ) in the army that I had a "Thing" with...

OK, back on topic .... :D

no, stay offtopic! This thread was just starting to get good! :D