Washington: The Pentagon announced that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will visit the Middle East this weekend without naming any specific nations.
Secretary Austin will travel to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) this weekend, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
Ryder said the trip would allow Austin to meet with leaders and several significant partner nations to “reaffirm the enduring US commitment to the Middle East region” without specifying which nations Austin would visit.
Ryder stated that discussions would also center on how to coordinate efforts to boost regional security and stability and ward off potential threats.