Top US general to join Pentagon chief for meetings in Israel

General Charles Q. Brown, the top US general, will join Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for meetings in Israel in the coming days, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

It will be Brown’s first trip to the Middle East since becoming chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Major General Patrick Ryder told a press conference.

Austin will leave for his Middle East trip on Dec. 16 and will also visit Qatar and Bahrain.