Netanyahu seeks to phase out US military aid over next decade

A cold shoulder from Donald Trump, a political blow to Benjamin Netanyahu, and a potential reset in the Israeli-U.S. ties. Donald Trump is refusing to endorse Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli election, and Israel is studying and considering less reliance on U.S. military aid. Is this only a political election snub, or is it really building on a change in the military strategy for Israel. Take a look. Israel's political battle is heating up with the October 27th elections approaching. Recent opinion polls point to a tight contest with neither Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition securing a clear path to a parliamentary majority. Donald Trump is the greatest friend that the state of Israel has ever had. And now Netanyahu faces another political challenge, Donald Trump. The U.S. president has again stopped short of endorsing the Israeli prime minister despite their long-standing political alignment. For Netanyahu, who has often projected his close relationship with Trump as a diplomatic advantage, the absence of an endorsement could be a setback at a critical moment. Behind the political uncertainty, Israel is also rethinking its long-standing dependence on American military aid. Netanyahu has spoken about phasing out American military aid over the next decade. The goal is to strengthen Israel's domestic defense industry and reduce its vulnerability to political shifts in Washington. But there is a catch. Israel still depends heavily on American-made fighter jets, munitions, spare parts and technology. Its most advanced military capabilities are deeply connected to U.S. supply chains and defense cooperation. Israel and the United States will need to negotiate the next phase of their defense arrangement as the current agreement approaches its 2028 expiry. The question is whether the two countries can move towards a model that gives Israel greater autonomy while preserving America's role as its most important military partner.