Unites States Central Command (CENTCOM) leader seems to be making a habit of visiting Israel. During this most recent visit, General Michael Kurilla stressed that Cooperation between Israel and Arab countries in air defense and missile defense is a high priority for the United States. The comments come on the heels of a high-profile visit to Iran by Russia's premier, Vladimir Putin, during a time when Russia is seemingly pulling away from the Jewish State.

General Kurilla visited Israel after he arrived from a visit to Jordan and the A-Tanf base in southern Syria where some American soldiers are still stationed. This is Kurilla's fifth visit to the region since taking office at the beginning of the year and his second visit to Israel in the past couple of months. Israel was transferred to America's primary command center after being assigned to European Command for the past several decades.

The move of Israel to Centcom was seen as a massive win for the Jewish State and validation of its importance to the United States and its military infrastructure. Israel has a liaison office at Centcom headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

During his visit to Israel, the commander of the United States Army's Central Command met with Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Still, he also met junior officers and soldiers operating air defense systems such as Iron Dome and Arrow.

According to the General, the meetings with the more junior officers allowed him to understand the Israeli strategy from a different angle and the point of view of the soldiers in the field. Kurilla also said that the region's countries are beginning to see the first fruits of labor from Israel's integration into the Central Command of the United States Army.

However, he added, it is a long process that will take time before it will result in comprehensive security cooperation between Israel and Arab countries.

"The Abraham agreements serve regional security by connecting militaries that face common security threats and concerns. The agreements allow us to focus on areas where our security interests overlap. This holds great promise," Kurilla said.

Kurilla’s main challenge as commander of American forces in the Middle East is to fend off claims that the United States is abandoning the region and reassuring its allies about the Biden administration's commitment to their security.

"The commitment of the Central Command of the United States Army to the region is as strong as steel. This region is at the center of the strategic competition of the United States with Russia and China," he emphasized.

According to him, the United States demonstrates its commitment to the region through numerous joint military exercises, intelligence cooperation and joint development of innovative combat methods.

Russia has been coming down hard on the Jewish Agency, which manages immigration to Israel, and threatening to close the Russian offices, sending the country back into Cold War times when the Soviet Union prevented Jews from leaving the country. It is suspected the tough stance is in response to the assertion of Yair Lapid to Prime Minister of Israel after he openly criticized Putin, calling him a war criminal.

Israel and its Arab allies are concerned with the rise of a nuclear Iran, whose leaders have threatened the region over the past decade. Iran is a Shia Muslim country while Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are majority Sunni countries.