The relationship between Israel and the U.S. is not one of charity, according to national security expert Victoria Coates. 

Over the years, the “material assistance” the U.S. has provided Israel has shifted from largely being economic to “become security assistance,” Coates, vice president of the Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation, told the “Problematic Women” podcast. “This is a mutual investment in our safety, and that has borne great dividends. It's not stuff we can talk about on the podcast, but I can just assure the audience that those are real.” 

The Oct. 7th terrorist attack on Israel was not only a national security failure on the part of Israel, but also the U.S., according to Coates, who argues that the partnership keeps America’s adversaries in the Middle East at bay. 

“There's a reason the Iranians call us the big Satan and the Israelis the little Satan,” Coates said. “And everyone’s going to go after the little Satan first. But if they get the little Satan, guess who's next?” 

The relationship between Israel and the U.S. extends beyond the importance of the physical safety and survival of both nations and also includes a culture war - and issue Coates addresses in her new book, “The Battle For The Jewish State: How Israel―And America―Can Win.”

Coates joins “Problematic Women” to explain the history behind America’s friendship with Israel, and how the two nations can work together toward mutual national security and cultural interests, and to discuss President Donald’s Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Also on today’s show, we discuss why the Trump administration is dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Plus, we break down our favorite red carpet looks from the Grammys.

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