“America’s commitment to security in the Middle East is strong and sure” says Austin
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reassured allies in the Middle East that President Biden’s administration was committed to the region and discuss regional joint priorities. During his visit, Austin held meetings with the government and military leaders in the Kingdom of Bahrain and United Arab Emirates.
Austin also led the U.S. delegation to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue from November 19-21, 2021. In his remarks, he underscored the United States’ commitment to security and stability in the Middle East, to U.S. partners in the region, and to expanding multilateral security cooperation to address shared threats. The Secretary also met with a wide range of other foreign government officials participating in the Manama Dialogue.
“America’s commitment to security in the Middle East is strong and sure” Austin said. “We do crucial work together with our friends in this region—to deter aggression from any quarter, to disrupt terrorist networks, and to maintain freedom of navigation in some of the world’s most important waterways…We’ve supported you along the way, and we’re going to keep doing so. Our forces train together, plan together, and work together—and that makes us stronger together.“
As U.S. military officials are looking at a wider reshuffling of forces from the Middle East, Austin hinted at that in his remarks, saying: “Our potential punch includes what our friends can contribute and what we have prepositioned and what we can rapidly flow in. And our friends and foes both know that the United States can deploy overwhelming force at the time and place of our choosing.”
In his remarks at the Manama Dialogue, Austin spelled out four most pressing challenges including the pandemic, climate change, terrorism, and Iran. “The United States remains committed to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon. And we remain committed to a diplomatic outcome of the nuclear issue,” Austin told an event put on by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “But if Iran isn’t willing to engage seriously, then we will look at all of the options necessary to keep the United States secure.”
Visit to Bahrain
In Bahrain, Defense Secretary met the Crown Prince and Prime MinisterSalman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama on November 20. He underlined the strength and importance of the U.S.-Bahrain relationship, and thanked the Crown Prince for Bahrain’s cooperation on critical priorities including maritime security and promoting enhanced regional security cooperation.
Visit to UAE
During his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), U.S. Defense Secretary met the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-UAE strategic partnership. The leaders discussed a range of shared security threats, including working together to increase regional defense and continuing to combat terrorism.
He also thanked the UAE for its long-standing hospitality in hosting U.S. forces and conveyed his appreciation for the UAE’s instrumental role as a transit location as the U.S. military conducted the evacuation and retrograde mission from Afghanistan.
In both the countries, Secretary Austin also visited service members deployed and stationed with the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central Command, to thank them for their service.
