The latest of a series of regular sessions of “strategic dialogue” between the US and Israel has opened. Such sessions take place every six months or so.
Israel’s delegation to the talks is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon and includes the Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor Uzi Arad, the head of the Israeli Defence Ministry’s political-security branch Amos Gilad, and Government Coordinator Major-General Eitan Dangot. The American team is led by Deputy Secretary of State James Steinbery.
This session takes place eight months after discussions in Tel Aviv in February which focused mainly on the “Iranian nuclear threat”, the reiteration of America’s “commitment to Israeli national security”, and a US pledge to preserve Israel’s qualitative military superiority in the region.