America is practically bankrupt, yet Israel remains a multibillion dollar dependent. The United States can't afford to continue subsidizing its well-off friends. And Israel, which spends heavily both to expand state regulation and occupy Palestinian lands, doesn't need American support.

The Middle East is in flames, but Israel appears relatively secure. Argued Paul Scham of the Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies: "It may seem counterintuitive, or even downright strange, but Israel's geopolitical position is probably stronger now than at any time in the country's history."

Nevertheless, there may be no more politically sacrosanct expenditure in Washington than the annual $3.1 billion for Israel. Even many avowed fiscal conservatives appear to care only about appearing to embrace Israel while seeking the Christian Zionist vote. America's annual payment soon may run as high as $5 billion a year, with the extra dollars offered to pacify the Netanyahu government, which opposed the nuclear accord with Iran.