First, while I didn't make any recommendations, my feelings were pretty evident in the way I framed the question. I admit that. If you disagree or were offended, I'm sorry.

But the events of the last week or so seemed to refocus the spotlight on U.S.-Israeli relations. What we see isn't too good, if not downright disturbing. Regardless of all that the U.S. has done for Israel over the years since it was formed, their actions last week were downright disdainful of what we have been working for in that region for some time--since the Carter administration at least. We continue to attempt to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but the Israelis act totally unwilling to cooperate and compromise to achieve such an objective.

Israel is the strongest military force in the region--mainly as the result of our aid--and they know it. They could crush the Palestinians like an insect at any time they choose. Like the U.S., Israel also has liberal and conservative political factions. Their conservative faction, whose conservatism is based mostly on religion and their belief that they should expand beyond their borders, is currently in control of their government.

Now back to my question--specifically with regard to Israel, but maybe also with regard to the way we distribute foreign aid elsewhere. Are we getting our money's worth? Are we giving our hard-earned taxpayer-provided dollars to countries who can and will be true allies of the U.S. and/or have resources, location, or other assets important to the long-term well-being of our country. For the most part, that's what foreign aid is for, isn't it?

Who gets U.S. foreign aid, you might ask?

The U.S. gives an estimated $26 billion in foreign aid—70% more than when President George W. Bush took office (the figure doesn’t include funds related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). More than 150 countries get financial assistance from the U.S. The six that received the most this year are:

• Israel ($2.4 billion) Virtually all of this money is used to buy weapons, much of which is made in the U.S. Beginning in 2009, we have announced plans to give Israel $30 billion over the next ten years.
• Egypt ($1.7 billion) $1.3 billion to buy weapons; $103 million for education; $74 million for health care; $45 million to promote civic participation and human rights.
• Pakistan ($798 million) $330 million for security efforts, including military-equipment upgrades and border security; $20 million for infrastructure.
• Jordan ($688 million) $326 million to fight terrorism and promote regional stability through equipment upgrades and training; $163 million cash payment to the Jordanian government.
• Kenya ($586 million) $501 million to fight HIV/AIDS through drug treatment and abstinence education and to combat malaria; $15 million for agricultural development; $5.4 million for programs that promote government accountability.
• South Africa ($574 million) $557 million to fight TB and HIV/AIDS; $3 million for education.

So it looks like our government is throwing our money around for two principal purposes--to try to buy peace in the Middle East, and to help poor countries in Africa fight HIV/AIDS.

How many of them can we really count as "allies"--Egypt? Pakistan? Even Israel? How many of them have much of anything that the U.S. needs or wants? Location, natural resources, military power that might ally with us, a vote in the UN? Is Israel really the country at the top of the list that is important to the U.S.? I'm finding it difficult to figure out how. I'm really questioning whether we're getting our money's worth.

One reason that I would never be effective in the foreign relations trade is that I'd probably lose my temper too often and demand more tit-for-tat than we've been able to get with our "nice rich guys" approach. But, oh well, on to the question.

Like lots of "discussions political", this may be nothing more than a fruitless discussion. Along with the NRA, the drug companies who get a nice chunk of business selling the drugs for HIV/AIDS sent to Africa, AARP, and so forth, the Israel lobby is well-known to be among the largest, strongest and most generous with Congress as any. Throw in the lobby money coming from the weapons makers who get the orders from Israel with our money, and it's a no-win situation as far as changing anything methinks.

But I still am left with the nagging question--are we getting our moneys-worth from our foreign aid spending?