New CENTCOM chief visits Israel as Iran nuclear talks drag on
Gen. Michael Kurilla's visit comes as Israel seeks a Plan B in case the Vienna talks fail.
The newly confirmed commander of US military forces in the Middle East, US Army Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, arrived in Israel on Tuesday on his first official tour of the region since taking on his new role.
Kurilla is expected to meet with Israel Defense Forces chief Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi and Defense Minister Benny Gantz during the two day visit, according to the IDF. He will also hold a panel discussion with the IDF’s strategic planning, operations and intelligence chiefs.
Discussions will focus on “ongoing operational cooperation between Israel and the United States, maintaining regional stability and dealing with joint operational threats and challenges in the region.”
Top priorities: The visit comes a month after Defense Minister Benny Gantz publicly called for forming an intelligence-sharing coalition between the United States, Israel and Arab Gulf states should negotiations in Vienna aimed at halting Iran's nuclear enrichment fail.
