US Cannot Make Middle East Policy Subservient to Israel: JD Vance
Mian Nadeem | Published September 16, 2026 | 10:12 PM
The United States maintains strong ties with its European allies, but it does not formulate its foreign policy by submitting to allied countries, according to US Vice President JD Vance. This principle was emphasized in a recent address in Washington.
Vance asserted that while the US has a robust partnership with Israel and cooperates on numerous issues, Washington should not adopt an Israeli position on every matter. Instead, he suggested, the US should collaborate where shared interests align but make independent policy decisions when interests diverge.
He illustrated his point using NATO as an example, noting that the US has strong ties with European allies within the organization yet does not allow those relationships to dictate its foreign policy.
The vice president's remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East due to ongoing conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Washington grapples with diplomatic and security challenges, including tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and its military presence in the region.
Vance previously expressed that there was no set timeline for resolving the conflict with Iran, and Israeli officials have not immediately disputed his latest statement. The message from Vance indicates a US focus on pursuing independent policy on specific Middle East issues while maintaining close ties with Israel.
He highlighted President Trump's willingness to part ways with Benjamin Netanyahu when it served US interests, citing instances where Trump agreed with differing views or disagreed with Netanyahu's positions.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a former business partner of President Donald Trump, countered that the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu remained strong and stable. He praised the close cooperation between Israel and the US, claiming that many people do not fully comprehend its depth.