Report: CIA chief met Israeli leaders during secret visit

[Chris]

Report: CIA chief met Israeli leaders during secret visit - Haaretz - Israel News

Report: CIA chief met Israeli leaders during secret visit
By Haaretz Service
Leon Panetta held talks on Iran and U.S.-Israeli relations with Netanyahu, Barak and Dagan.

CIA director Leon Panetta traveled to Israel last week for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Mossad chief Meir Dagan, U.S. news site Politico reported on Saturday. The main subject of conversation was Iran, as well as "relations" in general, the website said, quoting an unnamed former official in the Israel government. Regional news reports said that Panetta also traveled to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and other officials.

A CIA spokesman declined to confirm that the trip had taken place, saying that the organization did not usually comment on Panetta's travel arrangements. Earlier this month, Obama National Security Advisor Jim Jones traveled to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, accompanied by the NSC's Dennis Ross. Panetta was last reported to have visited Israel in May 2009.

[Chris]

I wonder if the CIA, Mossad, etc. are trying to get their ducks in a row for a future conflict? With tension in the region at a peak, it could be that they wanted to meet in person to finalize some things or talk about sensitive matters??

[nana]

Perhaps this ties in with the missile defense shield.