COMMENTARY
The Birth of a Great American Ally
Seth Mandel
April 22, 2026

Israeli Independence Day is a good time to think about what makes the Jewish state so successful. Going from a glorified refugee camp to a global power in the span of one human lifetime is enough of a triumph that surely it contains lessons for other aspiring nations out there…being a good junior partner isn’t just about the fighting. Israel has also been willing to stop at a moment’s notice when President Trump wants to switch gears to the diplomatic track. Last week, this meant agreeing to a cease-fire in Lebanon that Israeli voters didn’t like and that became a cudgel used by the political opposition against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Still, Israel complied. It was reminiscent of the point during last year’s U.S.-Israel joint bombing missions when Trump decided enough had been accomplished and ordered Israeli jets to turn around and go back home mid-flight. READ MORE