BICOM

The United States’ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey is in Israel where he is expected to meet with top officials to discuss cooperation on regional security issues.

Dempsey is being hosted by IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, but is also scheduled to meet Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon. The Pentagon said that Dempsey will discuss “potential threats from Iran, the ongoing civil war in Syria, and uncertainty in the Sinai.” Dempsey noted that since he assumed office, he has met with Gantz more times than with any of his other counterparts. However, he noted that the challenges have become “even greater” since they last met and that he and Gantz will talk about “how we can continue to work together to make both of our countries more secure.” Dempsey also noted that discussions will Gantz will also cover the financial resources available for defence in light of budget cuts in both countries.

Dempsey’s trip follows a low-profile visit to Israel last week by Gen. Mark Welsh, the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, who was hosted by the commander of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel. Welsh met with Israel’s military top brass and visited air bases throughout the country. Welsh noted the “patriotism and exceptional leadership” of IAF commanders and referred to Eshel as a “strong partner” and “friend.”

After leaving Israel, Dempsey will visit neighbouring Jordan, where a number of American troops have remained stationed since a recent joint exercise between the two armies. Dempsey said that “I want to understand how they [the Jordanians] see the issues — both emanating out of Syria, but also emanating out of Egypt.”