President Barack Obama flies to the Middle East next week for his first visit to Israel since becoming president. The Iran nuclear crisis, the collapse of Syria, and Israeli-Palestinian relations are likely to top his agenda.

Arriving in Israel on March 20 for two days, in a visit designed to underscore the importance of the special relationship between the United States and Israel — America’s lone stable democratic ally in the region — the President will be accompanied by Secretary of State John Kerry, and will make additional stops in Jordan, as well as Ramallah and Bethlehem.

Strategic and security planning has been ongoing in Israel for weeks. Late Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed much of the President’s schedule in a statement provided to Israeli media.

After a welcoming ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport, the President is expected to tour facilities relating to Iron Dome. As with all American security aid provided to Israel, such investments provide tangible benefits to U.S. taxpayers in numerous ways, including creating tens of thousands of high-paying American jobs, as the Israelis spend over seventy-five percent of the funds in the United States, and in providing an unparalleled forward operating base for  American interests in a turbulent region vital to U.S. national security.

Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and Secretary of State Alexander Haig made the point, famously saying,

“Israel is the largest American aircraft carrier in the world that cannot be sunk, does not carry even one American soldier, and is located in a critical region for American national security.”

In the case of the Israeli-developed and partially U.S.-funded anti-rocket system that has saved the lives of countless Israelis  from relentless rocket fire raining down from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, American investments and Israeli ingenuity are paying strong dividends for both the U.S. and Israel not only in the moral currency of lives saved from terrorism, but also in terms of American national security interests, with increased regional stability and reduced necessity for of broadened ground conflict between Israel and her hostile neighbors.

Following formalities at the presidential residence and a meeting with his counterpart Shimon Peres, POTUS will conclude Day 1 by meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and holding a joint news conference. The two will also dine together that evening.

One of those involved in planning the visit on the Israeli side is the Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror.

“It is important for us that the prime minister and the president have fruitful and productive talks – this is the basis for the continuation of work over the next four years. It is important to us that the president and all those who watch the visit see the beautiful Land of Israel as much as possible given the short schedule. Cooperation between all elements – among all the Israelis, and between us and the Americans – is also vital for the success of the visit.”

Obama’s second day will take in the Israel Museum and an exhibition of innovative technology, followed by talks with Palestinian Authority leaders and a state dinner with Israeli President Shimon Peres.  The President is also planning an major address during the visit, and U.S. Ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro is providing an opportunity for 20 lucky Israelis to win tickets to the speech via his Facebook page.

Wrapping up the visit on Friday, the President will conduct wreath-laying ceremonies at the graves of Israeli founding father Theodor Herzl and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, followed by a tour of Yad Vashem – Israel’s living memorial to victims of the Holocaust.

Liran Dan, one of those from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office responsible for assisting the hundreds of journalists who will be looking for news during the presidential visit explained Israel’s objectives: “Our goal for the visit is to emphasize two things: One is the deep and abiding connection between Israel and the US. The second is that we want to utilize the international attention that will be on the State of Israel for the 48 hours of President Obama’s visit in order to stress Israel’s status as a technological leader.”

[Photo: The White House / Flickr]