Despite the tight fiscal situation in Washington, the U.S. will continue to provide Israel with military aid, newly installed U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told Defense Minister Ehud Barak Tuesday. The two met in Washington, where Barak is visiting, after attending the annual AIPAC meeting this week. Barak met Hagel at the Pentagon, and was received by an honor guard, and a warm embrace from the Defense Secretary. During his opening public remarks, Hagel said that the U.S. would continue to assist in the development of defensive systems in Israel, including the Iron Dome.