IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi will be traveling to the United States for a meeting with US Chief of Joint Staff Admiral Michael Mullen. The meeting will be their second in a month, with Mullen having recently visited Israel. The IDF commander will also be meeting with the national security advisor as well as other senior Pentagon officials.

Ashkenazi was invited to Washington shortly after assuming his post but he preferred to push it off, opting to concentrate on problems at home. He was brought out of retirement to rehabilitate the IDF after the Second Lebanon War, which led to the resignation of his predecessor, Dan Halutz.

Now, the timing seems auspicious as the two countries continue evaluating the possibility of a military strike against Iran.

Officials in Washington stated that during Mullen’s visit in Israel, he did not give a “green light” for an Israeli assault against Iran. In statements made following the visit, the US commander stated an attack would be very dangerous and it would result in regional destabilization.

Ashkenazi is scheduled to leave for Washington in about ten days.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)