Israel is a force multiplier, not a free rider. It possesses tremendous military, intelligence and technological strengths of its own. Little wonder that Trump’s administration has labeled Israel a “model ally,” an example to which other countries, not just in the Middle East, but globally, that seek US support should aspire.

On the other hand, those same strengths give Israel the ability to go it alone even when Washington objects: The more capable the ally, the more independent-minded it is likely to be.

Israel’s assertiveness sometimes unnerves Arab countries, witness its strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar last fall. But the US- Israel alliance still creates a powerful pole of attraction: In an unsettled region, what team would you rather be on?

The fact that a wounded Iran has lashed out against its Arab neighbors with missiles and drones merely strengthens that argument. Once this conflict ends, Trump will surely seek deeper Arab-Israeli integration. If he’s successful, this powerful US- Israel alliance could form the nucleus of a still-mightier coalition that sets the tone in the Middle East for years to come.

Does this make you feel safe? It does not make me feel safe.

Hal Brands is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and the Henry Kissinger Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.

This makes more sense now