Top US soldier Gen. Dempsey arrives in Israel

Chairman of the Joint US Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey arrived in Israel Sunday to join the Israeli chief of staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz in overseeing the joint US-Israeli exercise now in its second week. On arrival he went into conference with Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Austere Challenge 12 focuses on computer simulations of long and medium-range missile attacks on Israel by Iran, Syria and/or Hizballah and their interception. DEBKAfile: Gen. Dempsey and other US generals spent several days in Ankara last week to dissuade the Turkish government from direct war action against Syria. He is also bidding to help Turkey and Israel bury the hatchet.