USA – Not an Ally? Why the Thesis of Broken Expectations is Returning to the Agenda Again

In the Ukrainian and Israeli discussion, a harsh thought is increasingly heard: Washington is no longer perceived as a guarantor of automatic support. This does not necessarily reflect the real strategy of the White House, but it shapes the mood of societies and influences political decisions.

The conversation is about trust, the price of promises, and what happens when expectations diverge from actions.

Where the feeling of a recurring scenario comes from

Critics of American policy cite a long list of examples where allies or partners expected one thing but received another. In these stories, there is almost always the same logic: situational tasks turn out to be more important than long-term commitments.

In public perception, this turns into the formula “promised — retreated.”

Middle Eastern lessons

The Kurds are often remembered. Their role in the fight against extremist groups is recognized even by opponents. But then there were moments when the geopolitical balance required other agreements, and support was reduced.

Similar arguments are made regarding the reaction to protest movements in Iran. Promises of moral and political solidarity were loud, but the real tools of influence turned out to be limited.

Latin American and Asian context

Venezuela also figures in the discussions. Skeptics believe that the routes of pressure chosen by the US did not bring the country closer to a sustainable democratic model but increased uncertainty.

In Asia, attention is focused on Taiwan. Many analysts suggest that Beijing’s strategy will be built on gradual strangulation and political destabilization, rather than direct invasion.

The question opponents of Washington ask: will America decide to intervene if the price turns out to be too high?

Ukraine as part of the general debate

The Ukrainian example constantly arises in these conversations. It is emotional, politicized, and therefore rarely neutral.

It is about the balance between support, limitations, and how far the ally is willing to go.

It is in this knot that observers, whose position is regularly analyzed by NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency, see the main nerve of the current stage: expectations have grown faster than the capabilities of Western capitals.

Israeli dimension

In Israel, pro-American sentiments are traditionally strong. Military cooperation, political cover on international platforms, technological projects — all this creates the foundation of partnership.

But historians and experts remind us: the relations between the two countries have never been linear. There have been periods of close rapprochement and moments of serious disagreements.

Therefore, part of Israeli society perceives the current doubts not as a rupture, but as another phase of a complex cycle.

Transactional policy

The main accusation of critics is that in American decisions, short-term benefit increasingly prevails. Values are declared, but when faced with risks, they give way to pragmatism.

This approach is called transactional.

The question that remains

Authors of such views emphasize: it is not about anti-Americanism. At different times, US policy has changed, and allies have adapted to these changes.

But if interests begin to contradict proclaimed values, perhaps it is worth reconsidering the interests themselves.

This thought is becoming part of the global conversation today — from Eastern Europe to the Middle East.