BICOM

Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak became the first foreign counterpart to meet with new US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel at the Pentagon on Tuesday.

Hagel’s appointment came after a protracted nominations process during which some of his opponents questioned his support for Israel. However, a statement released yesterday by the Pentagon noted the “outstanding working relationship” between Hagel and Barak dating back over ten years and highlighted Hagel’s “strong commitment to Israel’s security.” The same statement said that Hagel is committed to “maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge and continued US support for missile and rocket defence systems in spite of fiscal constraints.” The United States has helped Israel to develop a multi-layered missile defence system over recent years, including the Iron Dome which was successfully deployed during Operation Pillar of Defence in November, the Arrow and David’s Sling systems. There had been suggestions that financial difficulties in Washington could force the US to curb spending on these projects.

Barak and Hagel also discussed ongoing coordination to tackle the potential threat that Syria’s stockpile of chemical and other non-conventional weapons may fall into dangerous hands in the midst of fierce fighting in the country. They also addressed Iran’s nuclear programme, with Hagel reiterating a similar message delivered by US Vice President Joe Biden earlier this week, “that President Barack Obama is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, with all options on the table.”

In a related development, General James Mattis, head of US­ Central Command in the Middle East, told the US Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday that although it may still be possible to use diplomacy and sanctions to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Iran is “trying to buy time with the negotiations.”