U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right, has a private dinner with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Jerusalem, July 31, 2012. Panetta is on a five-day trip to the region to meet with leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
Israel's Message To Panetta: U.S. Can't Prevent An Attack On Iran -- Haaretz
Another major topic of discussion will be efforts to prevent Syria's chemical weapons from reaching Lebanon.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta arrived in Israel last night for a brief visit that will focus on the American-Israeli dispute over whether to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak plan to stress that Israel reserves the right to defend itself, and to make its own decision on whether to attack.
Another major topic of discussion will be efforts to prevent Syria's chemical weapons from reaching Lebanon.
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My Comment: When it comes to Iran .... it is clear that there is no unity among the allies on developing a plan of action that would force Iran to give up on it's nuclear enrichment program. Couple this with no leadership from the White House .... Israel may end up escalating and initiating an independent course of action that will surprise Washington and plunge the region into conflict.