WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2016 — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today emphasized the closeness of the relationship between the U.S. and Israeli militaries during a meeting at the Pentagon with his Israeli counterpart.

In a statement summarizing the meeting between Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford and Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, chief of the General Staff for Israel Defense Forces, Joint Staff spokesman Navy Capt. Greg Hicks said Dunford highlighted the trust and bond between the two militaries.

“The majority of the discussion focused on regional security issues and ways the U.S. and IDF can expand and enhance the military-to-military relationship to ensure regional stability,” Hicks said.

Opportunities for future bilateral training and doctrine development were identified during the meeting, he added.