Among the changes small and large of the pandemic, you’d be forgiven for not having noticed an ostensibly minor alteration in US militarism’s position in West Asia. But as it turns out, Israel — established in 1948 inside the borders of historic Palestine — has finally been recognized as a Middle Eastern country, no longer under the US European Command (EUCOM).

Such a change might appear odd, or trivial. Yet the reality is anything but.

First, the shift means that Israel will henceforth be included in the Middle East planning and budgets of US Central Command (CENTCOM) rather than with the European states in EUCOM. Communications can now run through these new channels, leaving the way open to easier facilitation of military exercises and joint operations.