This is one of the most troubled places on the planet. Trying to keep it from blowing up further seems like a pretty productive use of time and treasure,

It has been a good use of time and treasure, for a great many years. And the USA political, cultural, and economic hegemony has been a boon for a great many years.

I fear the both times are coming to an end. Specifically to Israel, Netanyahu has burned a tremendous amount of worldwide goodwill towards Israel by his almost maniacal treatment of the people of Gaza. I know you don’t like describing it as a genocide. And it may not meet some of the formal definitions. But it’s far too close to that for many around the world to dismiss it as merely the ugly side of a war.

So IMHO, it’s time to spend the US’s limited time and treasure trying to make a difference elsewhere in the world. Reducing worldwide suffering is an undeniable good, even if it doesn’t happen in Israel and the Middle East.

—Peter