A Plane System and a Port: Sino-Israeli Relations and U.S. National Security

Abstract

This thesis utilizes two case studies to investigate the impact on U.S. national security of Israel’s defense and infrastructure cooperation with China. The first case study investigates previous Sino-Israeli defense cooperation, specifically the 1999–2000 Phalcon dispute between the United States and Israel, wherein Israel proposed to export an advanced early warning and control system to China. The second case study investigates ongoing Sino-Israeli cooperation in infrastructure, specifically the current operation of the Haifa Port by the state-owned Shanghai International Ports Group. This thesis finds that in both case studies, Israel made decisions which presented serious risks to U.S. national security and interests. The case studies also apply foundational international relations theory literature about the security dilemma by John Herz, Robert Jervis, and Glenn Snyder, literature which further demonstrates the threats to U.S. national security stemming from the ultimately canceled Phalcon sale and the recent sale of Haifa Port operations to SIPG. The thesis concludes with policy recommendations for the U.S. government, the second of which draws on international relations theory by Robert Keohane. Qualitative methods are used in this thesis, including close analysis of news articles, editorial journalism, and government documents.