Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
Lloyd Austin, the head of the Pentagon to visit Europe, Israel amid tensions with Russia and Iran. The Intel community warns of a fragile future Austin traveling to Israel, Europe, the Pentagon may send warships to the Black Sea in support of Ukraine MORE this week it will meet with major US allies in Europe and the Middle East amid US tensions with Russia and indirect nuclear talks with Iran.
Austin plans to travel to Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom and NATO headquarters in Belgium.
Starting Saturday, Austin will meet with government and military leaders “to discuss the importance of international defense relations and strengthen the United States’ commitment to deterrence and defense, cargo sharing, and transatlantic security.” say the Pentagon in a statement. Thursday.
Austin will be the head of the Biden administration when he meets with the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. The three are expected to discuss “shared priorities” and reaffirm the U.S. commitment to Israel to maintain its military superiority over other countries in the region, according to the Defense Department statement.
In Germany, Austin will meet with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Chancellor’s Foreign Policy and Security Adviser Jan Hecker to discuss “fighting the evil influence of our shared strategic rivals.” “and the state of American forces stationed in Germany. .
Austin will then travel to Belgium to meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and talk about “how the Alliance is dealing with Russia’s destabilizing behavior, China’s rise, terrorism and global challenges such as COVID-19 and climate change “
The final stop will be in the UK, where Austin will meet with Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace.
The Pentagon did not give dates for Austin stops in each country.
The trip takes place amid a series of skirmishes in the Middle East, as Israel seeks to limit Iran’s military influence in the region.
Israel has for the past two years attacked ships carrying oil and Iranian weapons traveling across the eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea, while Iran has led its own attacks on Israeli-owned ships.
In the meantime, the first day of renewed conversations to return Iran and the United States to the 2015 nuclear deal, took place earlier this week, the most advanced move the Biden administration has taken as part of its efforts to return to the agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan.
Austin’s trip also comes when Russia has begun to do so gather troops and military equipment along Ukraine’s eastern border, a development that Biden was “increasingly concerned about” by the White House press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiPentagon’s boss will visit Europe, Israel amid tensions with Russia and Iran. ENERGY Overnight: the Intel community warns of the fragile future shaped by pandemics and climate change | Haaland meets with Utah politicians and tribes as Biden weighs monument change | Biden administrator could decide whether to take part in DAPL Exclusive fight: Biggs offers law banning federal vaccine passports MORE he said Thursday.