The Pentagon announced: Rear Admiral Brad Cooper will be appointed as the next commander of CENTCOM - the US military's Central Command (the command responsible for the Middle East - including Israel). Cooper will be promoted to the rank of admiral. He will replace General Michael Kurilla, who is considered a true friend of Israel and an officer who has significantly strengthened security ties between the US and Israel in recent years. General Kurilla was also one of the most prominent voices in the US pushing for military action in Iran - and received warm praise in Israel for his work in the region. Brad Cooper currently serves as deputy commander of CENTCOM (deputy to outgoing General Michael Kurilla), and previously was commander of the US Army's Fifth Fleet - which is based in Bahrain. In other words, he performed his last duties at CENTCOM, and he is well-versed in the Middle East, has visited Israel many times, and has extensive connections with senior IDF officials.