Mark Esper
The drawdown of forces comes despite objections from Republicans on Capitol Hill.
The expected withdrawals come in the aftermath of shakeups at the Pentagon in which U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper was fired and replaced with Christopher Miller.
The ouster was seen by many as inevitable due to policy differences between him and the president.
While a battle over the narrative continues between Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about how Israel gave its blessing to the sale of F-35s to the UAE, the Jewish state moves forward with the procurement of advanced military equipment.
The move by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes after America reaffirmed its commitment to Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge and promises to upgrade its military capability.
Jerusalem, Washington to discuss cutbacks to Sinai peacekeeping force
U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper reportedly wants to pull some American troops from the U.S.-led peacekeeping force • Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz: “Certainly, the issue will be raised between us and the Americans.”
“The United States will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies,” said U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.
“I’m not going to take any option off the table right now, but we are focused on the group—groups that we believe perpetrated this in Iraq,” said U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
“The United States military, with our interagency team, is working with our partners to address this unprecedented attack and defend the international rules-based order that is being undermined by Iran,” tweeted U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper: Any unilateral action against Syria by Turkey is “unacceptable” and would be stopped.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper “understands the strategic relationship with Israel, and that the alternative is no alternative,” said former Pentagon official Michael Rubin.
U.S. President Donald Trump noted that for purchasing the Russian defense system, Turkey will be barred from acquiring the F-35 fighter jet.