Pentagon raised threat of Israeli spying on U.S. to highest level, sources say

Spying Between Allies & “Why Now?”

• Many note that states routinely spy on both allies and adversaries; Snowden-era examples of US spying on Europe are cited.
• Commenters highlight the article’s claim that Israel’s activity goes “well beyond” typical allied espionage.
• Several ask why this is treated as news now, given longstanding suspicions. Explanations offered:
  • Blowback from the US–Israel–Iran war, especially over the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
  • US intelligence and military frustration that Israeli actions undercut US de‑escalation goals.
  • Need for political scapegoats as the Iran war is viewed as a strategic and domestic disaster.

US–Israel Relationship, Power, and Influence

• Strong claims that Israel exerts outsized influence over US politics via lobbying (AIPAC and related PACs), campaign spending, and narrative control; election primaries are cited as examples.
• Some frame the US as a “vassal” or “host” captured by a “client state”; others call this exaggerated or propaganda, stressing US agency and broader strategic motives.
• Evangelical Christian support, especially eschatological “Christian Zionism,” is repeatedly cited as a major political driver.
• Others emphasize that US elites choose this relationship; blame falls primarily on US politicians rather than Israel.

War on Iran, Lebanon, and Strategic Miscalculation

• Many see Israel as having pushed hard for the Iran war and regime-change fantasies, with Trump portrayed by some as malleable or poorly briefed.
• Others argue key US, Gulf, and Israeli actors all wanted Iran weakened, but the campaign was ill‑planned (no clear plan for Hormuz, escalation in Lebanon, etc.).
• Dispute over whether Iran is now “weaker than ever” (decapitated leadership, more brutal IRGC) or relatively stronger (proved deterrent, regional leverage, public rallying effect).
• JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) is debated: some insist Iran complied until the US left; others argue Iran hid sites and acted in bad faith.

Espionage, Tech, and Information Operations

• Claims that Israel runs a “hyper‑aggressive” intelligence service, including:
  • Targeting US officials’ deliberations.
  • Selling offensive cyber tools (e.g., Pegasus-type spyware) and using kompromat.
  • Extensive hiring of former Israeli intelligence personnel by US tech firms.
• One long comment describes Israel as a long‑time US “subcontractor” for deniable operations (including money laundering and arms), and notes growing discomfort inside US agencies.
• Discussion of “hasbara” (Israeli strategic communications) and significant state budgets for international PR.

Conspiracy, Blackmail, and Antisemitism Framing

• Several tie espionage to broader concerns about blackmail of politicians (Epstein, sexual kompromat), while others caution against using confirmed plots to justify unrelated conspiracies (e.g., moon landing denial).
• Strong frustration that criticism of Israeli policy is frequently labeled antisemitic; others warn that some anti‑Israel rhetoric slides into classic antisemitic tropes.
• Some see rising public fatigue with unconditional support for Israel and predict that openly pro‑Israel positions may become political liabilities.

Policy Ideas and Reactions

• Suggested responses include cutting or conditioning military aid, supporting sanctions and ICJ action, resisting deep US–Israel defense tech integration (e.g., NDAA Section 224).
• Others argue espionage is normal, that the US almost certainly spies on Israel as well, and that overreaction could damage a long‑standing alliance.