February 13, 2026
U.S.-Israel intelligence sharing and security cooperation constitute a critical component of American national security strategy, directly supporting force protection, counterterrorism, and deterrence of Iranian aggression. Many of the actors targeting Israel, including Iranian proxy groups and other designated foreign terrorist organizations, have also targeted or threatened the United States. Cooperation with Israel contributes directly to U.S. efforts to detect, deter, and disrupt threats before they reach American personnel, partners, or territory. Since Israel’s integration into U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2021, the security partnership has evolved from bilateral cooperation into regional operational integration that enhances American capabilities across the Middle East without requiring U.S. ground force deployments.
The Shared Threat Landscape
The U.S. and Israel face an overlapping set of threats that have grown more sophisticated, networked, and lethal in recent years.
Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic and cruise missile capabilities, and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose direct challenges to regional stability and U.S. force protection. Iran’s proxy networks, including Hezbollah in Lebanon; militias in Syria and Iraq; and the Houthis in Yemen project force throughout CENTCOM’s area of responsibility (AOR) and have repeatedly targeted U.S. personnel, interests, and facilities.
The Biden Administration’s last Annual Threat Assessment in 2024 noted that, “Iran has enabled scores of militia rocket, missile, and UAV attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria…Iran will remain a threat to Israel and U.S. allies and interests in the region well after the Gaza conflict, and probably will continue arming and aiding its allies to threaten the United States as well as backing Hamas and others who seek to block a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians…Both al-Qa‘ida and ISIS, inspired by the Hamas attack against Israel, have directed their supporters to conduct attacks against Israeli and U.S. interests.”
Intelligence Sharing
The U.S.-Israel intelligence relationship ranks among the most productive partnerships. Israel maintains one of the world’s most capable intelligence services, with human intelligence networks and operational expertise across the Middle East that provide insights into adversary intentions and capabilities and complements U.S. intelligence collection. Israel provides timely intelligence on Iranian military movements, weapons transfers, and proxy activity that informs U.S. threat assessments, operational planning, and force protection measures. Israeli early-warning capabilities and missile-tracking data enhance U.S. defensive systems protecting American personnel and facilities.
Counterterrorism intelligence sharing improves detection and disruption of networks targeting U.S., Israeli, and allied interests. Israel’s recent operations against Hezbollah’s command structure in Lebanon and Iranian military leadership and weapons facilities demonstrate the quality of this intelligence and its strategic value, as these strikes degraded threats to U.S. forces and interests without requiring American military action or deployments.
From Bilateral Partnership to Regional Integration
Beyond intelligence, U.S.-Israel security cooperation produces tangible military benefits for the region. In January 2021, the Department of Defense transferred responsibility for Israel from European Command to CENTCOM, recognizing that Israel’s primary security challenges emanate from the Middle East and aligning command structures with operational realities.
Regular Israeli participation in CENTCOM-led exercises improves interoperability and integrated response plans. Cooperation on layered missile defense in particular has generated technologies and operational concepts to protect U.S. forces and installations. The coordinated defense against Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israel in 2024-25 demonstrated this operational integration, with U.S., Israeli, Jordanian, and other regional forces working together to intercept hundreds of missiles and drones.
Israel’s operation of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter further strengthens bilateral defense ties. As the first international partner to employ the platform extensively in combat, Israel has generated insights relevant to U.S. operational planning, including for other AORs.
Why This Matters for Democrats
Leveraging Allied Capabilities. Israel has long been known as a “U.S. aircraft carrier in the Middle East,” based on its role as a consistent, capable, and strategic ally that projects American power in a critical region without requiring U.S. troops on the ground. While the U.S. has important relationships across the region, Israel is the only partner having both the capabilities and strategic alignment to address the full spectrum of threats confronting both countries.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation. Israeli intelligence has proven essential for understanding Iran’s nuclear program, informing previous diplomatic strategies and verification efforts. This cooperation supports the multilateral diplomatic architecture Democrats have long championed for effective non-proliferation, and provides verification capabilities that strengthen diplomatic options and international pressure.
Securing Commercial Interests and Supply Chains. Maritime chokepoints through the Suez Canal and Red Sea are critical to the American and global economy. Intelligence cooperation on maritime threats, Iranian weapons shipments to Yemen, and Houthi operational planning reduces shipping disruptions.
Enabling Counterterrorism Action. Timely intelligence on terrorist facilitators, financing networks, travel, and operational planning enables disruption of plots before they reach the U.S. or target American interests abroad. Israel’s operational experience and regional intelligence networks provide insights into evolving terrorist tactics that can inform U.S. counterterrorism strategy.
Countering Iranian Aggression. Iran and its proxies have killed Americans in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, and continue to pose an evolving threat. Intelligence sharing on Iranian capabilities, including missiles, drones, procurement networks, proxy operations, and sanctions evasion schemes strengthens American deterrence, enforcement of sanctions, and strategic decision-making.
Advancing Defense Innovation. Israeli innovations in missile defense, countering UAVs, tunnel detection, and cybersecurity have been adapted for U.S. military use, accelerating American capabilities while reducing development costs.
Conclusion
U.S.-Israel intelligence sharing and security cooperation deliver concrete benefits: enhanced protection for U.S. forces, stronger deterrence against shared threats, and more effective use of U.S. resources. Protecting this strategic asset serves American interests, protects American lives, and reduces burdens on U.S. intelligence and military forces in a volatile region.
All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the US Government. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying US Government authentication of information or endorsement of the author’s views.