US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to visit Israel this week marking the first time a Biden Administration cabinet member visits the Middle East. The visit will be two days long with visits to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Secretary Benny Gantz. It is expected to focus on Iran.

This visit coincides with multiple geopolitically important events, including the US announcement of $235 million in aid to Palestinians, focusing on the food, healthcare and education sectors. The visit is of further importance given the fact that the Biden Administration is seeking to rejoin the JCPOA yet Netanyahu has recently said Israel would not rejoin a nuclear deal that would enable Iran to develop nuclear weapons. After the visit though it is possible the US will not send another high-level administration official to Israel and the Middle East for some time, for one reason being that the Biden Administration’s primary focus is on Asia and China’s influence in that region.