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The Pentagon’s decision last month to relocate Israel to the U.S. military’s Central Command area of responsibility is a milestone development that could boost deterrence of Iran.
“As a practical matter, the control of the Golan I think remains of real importance to Israel’s security,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CNN news anchor Wolf Blitzer.
“The meeting is part of an ongoing policy review. It is not decisional,” posted White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Twitter.
“Thousands of warfighters often struggle to find normalcy after returning home from combat deployments,” said U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.).
Gen. Kenneth McKenzie held a roundtable discussion with members of the IDF General Staff that included Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, who briefed the U.S. commander on Israel’s defense policy.
A controversial story was moved to the archives on NBC, as per an editor’s note.
Swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti were spray-painted on Etz Chayim Conservative Synagogue as Jews were observing the start of Passover; the next night, similar graffiti was painted on Chabad of Huntsville.
Maher Bitar served in the National Security Council under former President Barack Obama, as director for Israeli and Palestinian affairs.
The 67-year-old will be the first African-American to lead the Pentagon. Avril Haines, 51, is the first female director and Jewish person to lead the U.S. intelligence community.
Michael Makovsky, president and CEO of JINSA, noted that the realignment “will strengthen strategic planning, defense cooperation and deterrence against Iran by America and its regional allies.”
As Iran tensions remain high, moving Israel to CENTOM’s area of responsibility would enable Israel, the United States and Arab partners to conduct joint exercises and planning for Iran-specific threats, thereby boosting readiness, says Jonathan Ruhe, director of foreign policy at JINSA.
If confirmed, Barbara Leaf will join the NSC’s Middle East and North Africa portfolio.
