U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Iraq Tuesday on an unannounced visit 'to reaffirm the US-Iraq strategic partnership as we move toward a more secure, stable and sovereign Iraq.'
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin embraces Major General Matthew McFarlane during his unannounced trip to Baghdad, Iraq, on March 7, 2023.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Iraq Tuesday on an unannounced visit barely two weeks before the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Austin is the highest ranking cabinet official to visit Iraq since the beginning of the Biden administration.He's in the midst of a multi-nation visit to the region. In the run-up, Iraq has hosted a raft of foreign officials, including the Iranian, Russian and Saudi foreign ministers and U.N. chief Antonio Guterres.
Successive governments have forged close ties with Iraq's Shiite-led neighbor Iran, while Iraq maintains relations with Iran's arch foe, the United States, in a delicate balancing act.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Makes Unannounced Visit To Iraq Nearly 20 Years After U.S.-Led InvasionAustin said the trip is to “reaffirm” the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Iraq, where a small number of U.S. forces are still working to combat the Islamic State.
Read more »
US defense secretary makes unannounced visit to BaghdadU.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Baghdad, just days before the 20th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. Hundreds of U.S. troops are in Iraq helping in the fight against the Islamic State group.
Read more »
Jordan's king tells US defense secretary West Bank violence threatens stabilityJordan's King Abdullah told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday a surge in West Bank violence threatened regional stability and asked for assistance to fight a growing drug war along its borders with Syria blamed on Iranian-backed militias, Jordanian officials said.
Read more »
U.S. defense secretary aims to reassure Mideast allies, deliver tough messageU.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in Jordan to begin a three-country Mideast visit, is aiming to reassure key allies of American commitment to the region despite Washington's recent focus on Russia and China, officials said, but plans frank messages for leaders of Israel and Egypt.
Read more »