SENATOR TIM SHEEHY: Crazy conspiracy theories are undermining America’s defense

The National Defense Authorization Act has long been one of the few pieces of legislation that rise above politics, typically culminating in a bipartisan show of support for our military and national defense. Each year, Congress comes together to fund our military, equip our warfighters and make clear to our adversaries that the United States remains committed to peace through strength.

This year, however, that tradition came to an end.

Instead of debating how best to strengthen America's military, Democratic Socialists and online conspiracy theorists are choosing political theater over national security. One provision of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in particular – Section 1217, which establishes the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative – became the target of a misinformation campaign fueled by rising antisemitism and growing domestic hostility toward American power and influence on the world stage.

THE US-ISRAEL STRATEGIC ALLIANCE – PARTNERSHIP, NOT CHARITY

According to the groypers and far-left socialists behind this delusional campaign, Section 1217 somehow "merges" the U.S. military with Israel's, places American troops under foreign command and subordinates America's national security to another country's interests.

While this sounds like a great plot for a novel, none of it is even remotely true.

Section 1217 builds upon decades of intelligence sharing, defense research and technology cooperation between the United States and Israel to accelerate the development of capabilities that strengthen America's military.

"Section 1217 merges our militaries." No, it does not. Section 1217 does not alter America's constitutional chain of command. It does not place a single American service member under Israeli authority.

This claim isn’t simply inaccurate – it’s absurd. And frankly, it doesn’t make one iota of strategic sense.

Israel's security challenges are largely regional, as it fights to defend itself from hostile neighbors who seek every day to wipe the Jewish people off the map. America's military responsibilities span every continent and ocean, maintaining a global force capable of deterring China in the Indo-Pacific, defending NATO allies in Europe, protecting freedom of navigation and responding to terrorist threats wherever they may be.

MAMDANI’S ‘DERANGED’ ISRAEL TAKE RESURFACES AS HE TARGETS NETANYAHU

Neither nation has any interest in "merging" military commands because it would make both countries less effective, not more.

Section 1217 isn't some secret, nefarious scheme buried in the NDAA as the anti-Israel lobby would have you believe. It's a continuation of a defense partnership that has benefited our warfighters for decades.

For years, Israel has fought radical Islamic terrorists and hostile regimes while pioneering advances in missile defense, counter-drone technology, cyber defense, battlefield intelligence and autonomous systems. America benefits from this knowledge, just as Israel benefits from American industrial capacity, research and military leadership.

As a combat veteran, I’m familiar with a concept every warfighter understands: on the battlefield, you use every advantage available to protect your troops and accomplish the mission. Pride and bad-faith political symbolism don’t win wars. Superior technology, trusted allies and military dominance do.

That is exactly why Congress included Section 1217 in this year's NDAA.

Artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, autonomous systems and electronic warfare are no longer tomorrow's technology; they are deciding battles today. In Ukraine, inexpensive drones have destroyed tanks worth millions of dollars. In the Middle East, missile defense systems have intercepted massive barrages that would otherwise devastate civilian populations.

MORNING GLORY: AMERICA IS WINNING ITS BATTLE WITH IRAN. IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME

Our adversaries aren't working alone. China invests heavily in artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, quantum computing and next-generation military technology with one goal: overtaking the United States. Russia continues adapting through battlefield experience.

In this age of modern warfare, America cannot afford to handicap itself by refusing to work with trusted allies while our enemies freely share tactics, technology and capabilities.

The anti-Israel crowd tries to suggest Section 1217 somehow places Israel's interests above America's. That could not be more backwards. The provision puts our interests first with every technological breakthrough, every missile defense improvement and every advance in counter-drone capabilities that saves American lives. That's not charity – it’s security.

As Montanans, we understand the importance of preparedness. Our state has long played a vital role in America's national defense, from Malmstrom Air Force Base to the generations of veterans who have worn our nation's uniform. We know deterrence isn't built with speeches, but with capability, credibility and a military so advanced that our enemies decide not to test it.

Americans should absolutely debate foreign policy. We should debate defense spending, military priorities and America's role on the world stage. But these days, legitimate policy disagreements have been replaced with tired antisemitic tropes dressed up as national security concerns.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION

Let’s be clear: conspiracies about Jewish control of America's military have no place in a serious debate about our nation's defense.

Our enemies don't care whether the technology that defeats them was developed in Washington, Tel Aviv, or on the far side of the moon. They care that it works. We have a responsibility to ensure American warfighters have every possible advantage when they go into harm's way – not to try and score political points by spreading disgusting conspiracy theories.

Section 1217 does just that by making America stronger, our military more capable, and our adversaries less likely to challenge us. That's peace through strength.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM SEN. TIM SHEEHY