For decades, journalists, analysts, and activists have worked painstakingly to uncover evidence that Israel leverages its “special relationship” with the United States to drive US policy. They traced the money spent by its lobbying arm, uncovered stories of its political meddling, and carefully mapped out the networks of influence it used to get its way in Washington.

And then Trump officials just came out and admitted it earlier this week.

Donald Trump has plunged the country into a rapidly escalating war with Iran, and many commentators have made the case that it has little to do with defending US interests but is instead being fought, paid, and died for by Americans because Israel wanted it. Thanks to a combination of reporting, public statements, and open admissions by people close to the White House, we can now say that’s objectively true.

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