US brings Israel into CENTCOM
The move formalizes regular military exercises among the US, Israel and Arab states, which is "crucial for developing effective theater missile defenses, as well as boosting readiness and interoperability in cyber, …
US brings Israel into CENTCOM
The move formalizes regular military exercises among the US, Israel and Arab states, which is "crucial for developing effective theater missile defenses, as well as boosting readiness and interoperability in cyber, counterterrorism, special operations, and maritime security."
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A pair of B-52 bombers have flown over the Mideast, the latest such mission in the region aimed at warning Iran amid tensions between Washington and Tehran. The U.S. military’s Central Command said the two B-52s flew over the region Sunday accompanied by military aircraft from nations including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It marked the fourth-such bomber deployment into the Mideast this year and the second under President Joe Biden. Flight-tracking data showed the two B-52s flew out of Minot Air Base in North Dakota, something Central Command did not mention in its statement on the flights.
https://tinyurl.com/27vvf9fx
The head of CENTCOM, General Kenneth F. McKenzie, recently told the Middle East Institute, "We do a lot of business with Israel now just as a practical matter of fact because their threats generally emanate from the east. In a certain way, this is just a natural recognition of that at the operational level."
In comments reported by Defense News, McKenzie said bringing Israel into CENTCOM will enable the United States to place an "operational perspective" on the Abraham Accords, setting up "further corridors and opportunities to open up between Israel and Arab countries in the region" on a military-to-military level. This, in turn, will pave the way toward a collective regional approach to common Middle Eastern threats.
McKenzie stated that the move also lines up with a US vision in which "our friends in the region do more for themselves" and in which neighbors work closely together, adding that the CENTCOM move is "a step in that direction."
https://tinyurl.com/6s8kkhh2
