US Defense Secretary: US commitment to security in Middle East is strong and sure

Manama, Nov. 20 (BNA): The US commitment to security in the Middle East is strong and sure. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has stressed. “We’re going to build on our longstanding investments in this crucial [Middle East] region — in security cooperation, training, professional military education, capacity building, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises,” he said in a major policy speech on the Middle East at the Manama Dialogue 2021. Austin was the keynote speaker at the international forum held annually in the capital Manama and bringing together policy-makers from around the world. “No one should doubt our resolve or our capabilities to defend ourselves and all those who work alongside us to keep this region secure […] Our potential punch includes what our friends can contribute, and what we have prepositioned, and what we can rapidly flow in,” Austin said. “Our friends and foes both know that the United States can deploy overwhelming force at the time and place of our choosing.” Working together is a crucial requirement to succeed in going forward, he said. “Over my many years in the Middle East region, I’ve learned that we can do much more when we come together than when we let ourselves be split apart,” he said. He emphasized that US administrations regardless of their political orientations supported partnerships with the Middle East. “For decades, American administrations from both parties have recognized the profound importance of our partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa,” he said. Austin commended the Middle East leaders for their prompt support to the US when Washington sought assistance to evacuate thousands of people from Afghanistan. “As we wound down the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the world witnessed again the power of our network of partnerships. When America asked for help, our friends stood up. Leadership from [the Middle East] region helped us to evacuate 124,000 people from Afghanistan,” he said. Austin highlighted the significance of deeper multilateral partnerships to tackle shared threats. “In the 21st century, we need a broader view of Middle Eastern security, and we all need deeper multilateral partnerships to tackle shared threats. Many of today’s most urgent dangers just don’t care about borders,” he said. The US Defense Secretary said that the United States remains committed to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon. “'Iran should have no illusions that it can undermine our strong relationships in the region. And we will defend ourselves, and our friends, and our interests,” he said. “We’ll continue to evaluate the right mix of forces to bolster our deterrence against Iran.”