US Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Israel yesterday, Aug. 12, for another visit. Last week, on Aug. 9, it was US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh who came for a four-day working visit. This marks Dempsey’s third visit to Israel since he became chairman of the Joint Chiefs. In 2012, he was here in October and January  on what was said to be an American endeavor to dissuade Israel from its intentions to independently strike Iran’s nuclear installations.

At some point, someone has to count how many American chiefs of staff and generals have visited Israel since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was elected and took office in April 2009. Netanyahu’s election heralded Israel’s saber-rattling vis-à-vis Iran, turning top American defense officials into subtenants at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Tel Aviv as well as at the headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and at the Israeli defense establishment, serving as babysitters in what may look like a day-care center for particularly edgy and dangerous children.

Dempsey’s current trip is said to be a working visit, during which he will discuss with his Israeli hosts Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz the usual topics, such as Syria, Egypt and al-Qaeda in the Sinai.

Behind the scenes, however, the picture is entirely different. High-ranking Israeli defense-establishment officials are quite clear as to why Dempsey has returned for a visit.