Or is the US Israel's puppet?
Some circles caricature Israel as the US’s dog, while others caricature the US as Israel’s dog. In your opinion, who is whose dog?
Posted on May 10, 2026 by Dtesca
Or is the US Israel’s puppet?
The civilian massacres in Gaza and Netanyahu’s disregard for US warnings have opened up a debate about the nature of this relationship. Many analysts argue that the US has lost prestige in the world by failing to stop Israel, and that in this sense, a point has been reached where “the tail is wagging the dog.”
Instead of defining this relationship with a one-way term like “master and servant,” it would be more accurate to explain it with what international relations experts call “mutual dependence” or “strategic entanglement.” The areas in which both sides control and use each other are different:
- Why Does the US Appear to Be Israel’s “Master”?
Those who advocate this view argue that Israel could not act so recklessly without US support:
Military and Financial Support: The US provides Israel with billions of dollars in military aid and the most modern weapons systems (such as F-35s) every year.
Diplomatic Shield: The US veto power in the UN Security Council, which blocks resolutions against Israel, is the greatest shield protecting Israel from international sanctions.
Regional Outpost: Israel is seen as the US’s “unsinkable aircraft carrier” and most reliable military ally in the Middle East.
- Why Does Israel Seem to “Control” the US?
On this side, the enormous influence of Israel on US domestic politics is emphasized:
Lobbying Power (AIPAC): The Israeli lobby in the US (like AIPAC) is so influential on the American Congress that no politician wants to risk their career by speaking against Israel. These lobbies play a large role in financing election campaigns. Media and Finance: Powerful networks in the media and finance world play a significant role in shaping American public opinion in favor of Israel. The Netanyahu Factor: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s occasional defiant attitudes towards American presidents (such as Obama or Biden) and his direct interference in US domestic politics reinforce the perception that “the smaller partner controls the larger one.” Result: Who Controls Whom?
In reality, this is a symbolic partnership of interests. The US uses Israel as a “battering ram” to protect its interests in the Middle East, while Israel uses the US both as a source of finance and as a “shield” against international law.
However, recently, particularly the civilian massacres in Gaza and Netanyahu’s disregard for US warnings, have called into question the nature of this relationship. Many analysts argue that the US has lost prestige in the world by failing to stop Israel, and that it has reached a point where “the tail is wagging the dog.”
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