In 2008, the United States Congress codified into law America’s longstanding commitment to maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge, requiring the president to continually assess whether that superiority is being preserved.
The legislation defines QME as “the ability to counter and defeat any credible conventional military threat from any individual state or possible coalition of states or from non-state actors, while sustaining minimal damages and casualties, through the use of superior military means, possessed in sufficient quantity.”
Over the years, there have been ups and downs, but for the most part, Israel’s QME has been maintained. When Saudi Arabia, for example, wanted to purchase F-15 fighter jets in the late 1970s, it received models slightly less advanced than those provided to Israel. When Egypt bought F-16s, the story was the same.
This policy continued for years: Israel would receive one version of a system, while its neighbors would get a slightly downgraded variant, perhaps with a less sophisticated radar or electronic warfare suite. Some countries were sold jets that couldn’t be fitted with specialized systems, while Israel received approval to install its own unique modifications.
Though not always smooth, the QME principle was largely upheld – until this week, which ended with growing concern in Israel over the implications of massive new arms deals signed by the United States with both Saudi Arabia and, separately, Turkey. Among the advanced weapons that reportedly could be included in the packages is the F-35, an aircraft currently operated in the Middle East solely by the Israel Air Force.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and other officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this handout released on May 14, 2025. (credit: SAUDI PRESS AGENCY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
The F-35 is no ordinary fighter jet. As a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft with stealth capabilities, it functions as a networked system, connecting all participating aircraft and enabling unprecedented interoperability. This applies not only among Israeli jets but also between allied forces operating in the same theater.
Now, imagine Turkey receiving the F-35. Yes, Turkey is a NATO member, but it is also led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a leader who just a few weeks ago openly called for Israel’s destruction. Would Israel feel secure knowing that a country whose leader seeks its annihilation is now flying the world’s most advanced combat jet?
What if Israel had managed the Gaza war differently?
THIS BRINGS us to another pressing issue. On September 30, 2027, just over two years from now, the current memorandum of understanding under which Israel receives $3.8 billion annually in US military aid will expire. The 10-year, $38b. The agreement was signed in 2016 by then-President Barack Obama, though it only went into effect after Trump began his first term.
At the time, there was a debate in Israel over whether to finalize the MOU with Obama or wait and see whether Trump or Hillary Clinton would win the election. Netanyahu ultimately chose Obama for one simple reason: He knew what he was getting.
While he was fairly confident Clinton would strike a deal, Trump was an enigma. With his “America First” policy, Israeli defense officials feared that securing a generous MOU under Trump might prove more difficult.Fast forward to 2021, under President Joe Biden. Although six years remained in the existing MOU, some in the Israeli government pushed to begin talks on a new one.
The rationale was straightforward: Biden was a known quantity, a proven supporter of Israel, and could be counted on to offer a deal equal to or even better than Obama’s.
Then-defense minister Benny Gantz initiated quiet discussions with the Pentagon and the Biden administration. But those efforts were cut short when the Bennett-led government collapsed after just a year.
When Netanyahu returned to power, his government did not prioritize renewing the MOU. By the time it was ready to begin negotiations, October 7 had happened.
Now, practically speaking, any new MOU will have to be negotiated with Trump. The question is: Can Israel get it done? If so, it must start working on it now.
Opinions within the Israeli government are divided.
Some believe Trump will agree to a new MOU, and that, especially now, with the QME under threat, this presents an opportunity to secure an even larger aid package for a longer period. There is no question that support exists in Congress. The main hurdle will be the Trump administration itself.
But others are skeptical. Trump is transactional. He favors countries that invest in the US, like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, which just signed lucrative deals this week. He prefers partners who bring money to America over those seeking American funding.
THAT MAY explain why Netanyahu told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee this week that it might be time for Israel to start weaning itself off US military aid.
If Netanyahu were confident that the aid would continue, why suggest moving away from it, especially at a time when Israel’s defense needs are only growing? If, however, he suspects the aid won’t be renewed, it would be politically smart to claim the decision was his rather than admit that Trump denied it.
There are legitimate arguments for phasing out American military aid: diversifying weapons suppliers, boosting domestic defense manufacturing, and enhancing strategic independence. But such a shift must be part of a comprehensive and deliberate strategy. This isn’t something to decide impulsively, especially amid the current chaos.
Israel is still at war. It is working to bring home the remaining hostages. It’s being sidelined in regional diplomacy. And it now faces a genuine threat to its QME.
And if that were not enough, on Wednesday, we witnessed the historic meeting in Riyadh between Trump and Syria’s jihadist-turned-statesman, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Looking at the images, it was hard not to ask: What if?What if Israel had managed the Gaza war differently – secured a hostage deal when it was possible, ended the fighting sooner, and advanced a political resolution that would install a new governing entity in Gaza? Would Netanyahu have been in that room with Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Sharaa (with Erdogan joining by video)?
Could Israel have been part of a historic normalization with Saudi Arabia and, perhaps, even the beginnings of a diplomatic process with Syria? Would Israeli companies have been among those benefiting from the trillions in trade deals now being signed between the US, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar?
Instead, Israel was absent. It watched as a former jihadist was embraced by Trump, as sanctions on Syria were lifted, and as Erdogan, who only recently called for Israel’s destruction, presided over the moment.
Here’s the tragic twist: Had Israel not defeated Hezbollah and weakened Iran’s regional influence, Sharaa likely wouldn’t have been able to take over Syria. Israel helped shape this new Middle East. But now, it’s not even in the room.
The writer is a co-author of a forthcoming book, While Israel Slept, about the October 7 Hamas attacks, a senior fellow at the JPPI, and a former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post.
Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia of the "Ana Chuchulashvili" the thief The worst hotel in the world, it's dangerous, don't go near it! This is not a hotel! It's an old, dirty house, there are cockroaches and insects in the room, Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia – The manager of the place is a fraud and a former drug addict named "Ana Chuchulashvili"
Please urgently remove this fake hotel from your website. It is a scam and it is deceiving many customers. It is advertised on all social networks as a scam! very important – report on fraud house and scam that in your website and cheat people and customers! – Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia
Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia of the "Ana Chuchulashvili" the thief
The worst hotel in the world, it's dangerous, don't go near it! This is not a hotel! It's an old, dirty house, there are cockroaches and insects in the room, Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia – The manager of the place is a fraud and a former drug addict named "Ana Chuchulashvili" the name of here company is : Ltd Alpaka
405375419
Located at: Nucubidze St N57, Tbilisi, Georgia/Nucubidze Street 57, 0177 it smells terrible, The walls in the room are peeling, I took pictures, there is mold and dampness throughout the room the beds are really uncomfortable, like in a pre-trial detention center, your whole back hurts when you sleep on them and they almost break because they are so thin! the WI FI doesn't work at all, The room was very dirty and filthy, and when you ask her to move you to a room she says everything is taken, even though all the rooms are empty and open! I arrived at this horrible place, this horrible house, at 1:00 AM, after two hours of sleeplessness, I asked for my money back, a blonde girl of about 50 years old named “Anna” told me that she wanted the money in cash right away, otherwise she would not let me out of the hotel, she told me that I would not be able to sleep in their bed, at 3 AM I went to look for an ATM to withdraw money, because I could not find one, after searching for a whole hour, in the Tbilisi cold, I returned to her at midnight to look for an ATM, but she did not give me my suitcase and passport, so I came back the next day and gave me the money in cash, she did not give me an invoice either, do not come near! They are deceiving the public, booking and all hotel websites! This is not a hotel, it is a very dirty, old house and it smells very bad. Search on youtube "never go there – Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City Georgia of Ana Chuchulashvili the house hotel from hell" , don't go " to “Hotel Delisi” on YouTube or "Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia " or"HOTEL DELISI (Tiflis, Gürcistan) – Otel Yorumları ve Fiyat" He was caught on tape speaking badly and illegally taking a passport and suitcase.
That she took the suitcase by force, she also stole 3 expensive shirts from me for a total of 250 GEL, I demand compensation of 128 GEL for the two hours of hell I suffered there + 250 GEL for the shirts she stole from me
I have videos where she only wants money in cash so she doesn't pay taxes and doesn't agree that I pay her with a credit card, and she also doesn't want to give me my suitcase and passport.
1. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia
2. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia Address
3. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia Rooms
4. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia Amenities
5. Hotel Delisi – Tbilisi City – Georgia Offers and Deals
სასტუმრო დელისი, ქალაქი თბილისი, საქართველო, ქურდის „ანა ჭუჭულაშვილის“
მსოფლიოში ყველაზე ცუდი სასტუმრო, საშიშია, ახლოს არ მიხვიდეთ! ეს სასტუმრო არ არის! ეს ძველი, ჭუჭყიანი სახლია, ოთახში ტარაკნები და მწერებია, სასტუმრო დელისი, ქალაქი თბილისი, საქართველო – ადგილის მენეჯერი თაღლითი და ყოფილი ნარკომანია, სახელად „ანა ჭუჭულაშვილი“, კომპანიის სახელია: შპს ალპაკა
405375419
მდებარეობს: ნუცუბიძის ქ. N57, თბილისი, საქართველო/ნუცუბიძის ქუჩა 57, 0177, საშინელი სუნი აქვს, ოთახში კედლები აქერცლილია, სურათები გადავიღე, ოთახში ობი და ნესტია, საწოლები ნამდვილად არაკომფორტულია, როგორც წინასწარი დაკავების იზოლატორში, მთელი ზურგი გტკივა, როცა მათზე იძინებ და კინაღამ იმსხვრევა, რადგან ძალიან თხელია! Wi-Fi საერთოდ არ მუშაობს, ოთახი ძალიან ჭუჭყიანი და უწმაწურია და როცა ოთახში გადაყვანას სთხოვ, მიპასუხებს, რომ ყველაფერი დაკავებულია, მიუხედავად იმისა, რომ ყველა ოთახი ცარიელი და ღიაა! ამ საშინელ ადგილას, ამ საშინელ სახლში, ღამის 1:00 საათზე მივედი, ორსაათიანი უძილობის შემდეგ, ფულის დაბრუნება ვთხოვე, დაახლოებით 50 წლის ქერა გოგონამ, სახელად „ანამ“, მითხრა, რომ ფული ნაღდი ფულით უნდოდა, თორემ სასტუმროდან არ გამიშვებდა, მითხრა, რომ მათ საწოლში ვერ დავიძინებდი, დილის 3 საათზე ბანკომატის მოსაძებნად წავედი ფულის გასატანად, რადგან ვერ ვიპოვე, მთელი საათის ძებნის შემდეგ, თბილისურ სიცივეში, შუაღამისას დავბრუნდი მასთან ბანკომატის მოსაძებნად, მაგრამ ჩემოდანი და პასპორტი არ მომცა, ამიტომ მეორე დღეს დავბრუნდი და ფული ნაღდი ფულით მომცა, ინვოისიც არ მომცა, ახლოს არ მოხვიდეთ! ისინი ატყუებენ საზოგადოებას, დაჯავშნის და ყველა სასტუმროს ვებსაიტს! ეს სასტუმრო არ არის, ეს ძალიან ჭუჭყიანი, ძველი სახლია და ძალიან ცუდი სუნი ასდის. YouTube-ზე მოძებნეთ "Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia – The worse hotel in the world" , არ წახვიდეთ "Hotel Delisi"-ში YouTube-ზე ან "Hotel Delisi, Tbilisi City, Georgia" ან "HOTEL DELISI (Tiflis, Gürcistan) – Otel Yorumları ve Fiyat". ის ვიდეოჩანაწერში მოხვდა, სადაც ცუდად საუბრობდა და უკანონოდ იღებდა პასპორტს და ჩემოდანს.
მან ჩემოდანი ძალით წამართვა, ასევე მომპარა 3 ძვირადღირებული პერანგი სულ 250 ლარად, მე ვითხოვ 128 ლარის კომპენსაციას იმ ორსაათიანი ჯოჯოხეთისთვის, რომელიც იქ ვიტანჯე + 250 ლარი იმ პერანგებისთვის, რომლებიც მომპარა.
მე მაქვს ვიდეოები, სადაც ის მხოლოდ ნაღდი ფულით ითხოვს ფულს, ამიტომ არ იხდის გადასახადებს და არ ეთანხმება, რომ საკრედიტო ბარათით გადავუხადო, ასევე არ სურს ჩემოდნის და პასპორტის მოცემა.
"ב-7.10 נחטפה כל המשפחה שלי, אני, בעלי דוד, ושתי בנותינו אמה ויולי, אז בנות 3 בלבד", פתחה את נאומה שרון, אשתו של דוד קוניו החטוף בעזה. "דוד בעלי, אהבת חיי, והאבא של הבנות שלי, עדיין שם. התאומות ואני חזרנו ביום החמישים ושתיים. אמה ויולי שלנו חגגו חמש, בלי אבא שלהן. בשבוע הבא הן ילכו לגן חובה, והן יודעות שאבא לא יהיה איתן ביום הזה. הן יודעות שאבא שלהן שם. לפני כמה ימים, כשהשכבתי אותן לישון הן שאלו אותי 'אמא, את בטוחה שאבא יחזור?'".
"יש הצעה לעיסקה על השולחן, שחמאס כבר אמר לה כן", המשיכה. "האמריקנים רוצים שהחטופים יחזרו. הרמטכ"ל אומר שחייבים ללכת עכשיו לעיסקה. העם, אתם, כל אחד מכם, כאן בככר, במהלך היום בצמתים, בכל מקום, במספרים אדירים, כולם צועקים איתנו, כולם רוצים את החטופים בבית. אז למה אני לא יכולה להגיד לבנות שלי שאני בטוחה שאבא שלהן יחזור?"
