It would not surprise me to find Dempsey in league with Hagel to downsize the American military. Beware Israel!

... why there is any need for a meeting at all. The current U.S. administration is demonstrably hostile to the State of Israel. No need for us to tip our hand as to our intent. The United States will find out when everyone else does -- after the fact.

MI Chief was briefed which Pentagon's prepared scalpels were surgically deployed during the last 10 days.

We tend to like to do things ourselves. Everyone else would just get in the way. The likely reason that Kochavi was summoned to Washington was because Barack Obama -- and everyone at the U.S. State Department and at the Pentagon -- is furious that Israel basically destroyed Fordo without informing the United States beforehand. As if there is any reason for Israel to do so.

obama the limp wristed one is always furious with israel.

I'd be careful what I told them. Obama has big ears and funny friends.

If sequestration goes into effect this would result in an 8.3% reduction in the 3Bil of military aid from U.S. The democrats are working hard to mitigate this.

You could not be more inaccurate or misinformed. For example, pres. Obama signed and enacted in 2012 the "US-Israel enhanced security cooperation act(PL 112-150). Intelligence sharing has increased, military sales such as F-35 expedited, discussion of bunker busters and refueling tankers. US and Israel under Obama are sharing technology re Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow and Patriot. Don't allow your animus to cloud your judgment.

Were it that simple. US and Israel are watching every move in Syria together, from SatCom to US eyes on the ground in Jordan.

Every US president has failed to endorse the settlements. None have recognized Jerusalem as our capital. Before the '67 war, Eisenhower in the 1950's would not arm us, the French did eg the Mirage. Later the US stepped in, yet Nixon hesitated to re-supply us in 1973 because of Kissinger's self-hatred, over-ruled by Al Haig. Both Bush's deferred to the oil lords of Saudi. Obama is tough, a match for Bibi,. He sees the green line as the starting point, yet had his UN secretary Rice vote against terming the settlements as illegal. Facts speak power truth over bias.

that legislation originated in the house and both houses of congress passed it nearly unanimously. obma could hardly refuse to sign it, especially before elections.

Well, aren't you the optimistic one. The United States has fumbled the ball basically everywhere. They HAVE no "eyes on the ground" in the Middle East. They NEVER HAVE. They have always depended upon Israel. Well, the current administration -- not to mention past experiences with American administrations -- has basically made it impossible to inform the United States beforehand of anything. But Israel is, after all, basically in the business of protecting the State of Israel and the Jewish people. We have a very long history of being betrayed -- including by the United States. So, perhaps we no longer work or play well -- with children. The U.S. will be informed after the fact. Do you blame us? Do you think we can trust the United States? History has proven that no, we cannot -- this despite the fact that Israel has pulled the United States' chestnuts out of the coals on any number of occasions. Can you see that the State of Israel views the United States as a child that never learns from past mistakes, despite Israel's best efforts to engage in good parenting? If you cannot -- well, you need to hit the history books, friend. Close cooperation between Israel and the United States will require a sea change on the part of the United States, and I do not see that happening given the current American administration. Too uninformed, too -- well -- stupid. Or else governed by a commander-in-chief that has a very private agenda that does not match that of the people for whom he works. Either way, Israel is perfectly content (if not exactly thrilled) to act first, then inform. Face it -- Israel is yanking American chestnuts out of the coals -- yet again.

obama is the most anti-israel president in recent times. no amount of propaganda will change this fact, unfortunately. this ddoes not mean that cooperation between the countries, as mandated by congress, is not ongoing and rather strong. however, obama sets foreign policy as well as national security policy.

"no eyes in the ground": check your facts: NYT 10/09/12 US military, 150 personnel, sent to Jordan to prepare against Syria losing control of its chemical weapons. Task force commissioned by Pres. Obama through NSA. The 2 countries are in closer cooperation than ever.

i think sarah b means human intelligence on the ground--like spies, see? some things cannot be learned from satellites. the best intelligence is still intelligence that is gathered by humans on the ground. cia assets in lebanon were rolled up shortly after obama came to power. the enormous leaks from the obama white house, right after wikileaks, have certaily put many friendly agencies on their guard.