Hagel reassures Barak on missile defense

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel reassured Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, that he would continue to advocate for Israel’s missile defense programs despite looming budget cuts.

“Secretary Hagel expressed his strong commitment to Israel’s security, including maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge and continued U.S. support for missile and rocket defense systems in spite of fiscal constraints,” the Pentagon said in a statement after the two defense chiefs met March 5. It was Hagel’s first meeting in his new post with a foreign counterpart.

Hagel had come under fire from Republicans during his confirmation process for past statements attacking what he called the “Jewish lobby,” as well as for his past skepticism of Iran sanctions and the efficacy of a strike on Iran to keep it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. — jta