[SicSemprTyranis]

Im sure the world wouldn't be thrilled if Iran obtained nuclear weapons if it did so under some guise of being a democracy but would tolerate it (see Pakistan). However, because of their continued belligerence to the western world, its made this situation a little tougher to deal with then just turn a blind eye.

As for the United States relationship with Israel, this is a relationship that has developed only recently...within the last 30-40 years. In Israel's neophyte days, their big sponsors were France & England (remember the Suez crisis in '56?). The reason the US has gotten aboard their bandwagon is three fold. First, they test many American war technologies real time. Because there always in a state of war, the US gets to see how their products work and hold up, plus our large defense contractors get guaranteed sales. Israel gets state of the art technology in dealing with their adversaries.

Second, the US is able to fight proxy wars against middle east adversaries like Hezbollah without sending a single troop. Don't think these countries hate us because of our support for Israel, it runs much deeper than that. So if we were to stop supporting Israel, its not like our problems would just disappear. By fighting this proxy war, we're able to keep the battlefields far from places like Kansas City or Jacksonville.

Third, Us foreign policy has made it integral to support democracies, no matter what the cost. Here is the one democracy in that region (save Turkey, who we also support extensively) and we have decided that its existence is vital for future generations to embrace and accept democracy. If we allow one democracy to fail, then our enemies will be emboldened to see that other democracies fail. If you think this sounds like the domino theory of the 1940's and 50's it somewhat is but do keep in mind that none of the countries that fell into communism naturally were democracies to begin with.

Basically, there is a big reason were not happy with Iran having nuclear weapons but were ok with Israel's program. Trying to compare the two is like saying why are we offering a free trade agreement to Colombia and not Venezuela?