America’s most senior soldier arrived in Israel yesterday for consultations with military and political leaders amid speculation that the two countries are disagreeing on how best to stop Iran’s nuclear programme.
General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, is due to meet Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, and Ehud Barak, defence minister, for secret talks expected to focus on Iran and the issue of a possible Israeli strike against its nuclear facilities.
Israeli commentators and analysts believe the visit is part of a broader effort by the US administration to persuade Israel not to embark on air strikes in the near future – or at least to give Washington warning before any attack.