On December 25th, the United States accused Iran of being "deeply involved" in a drone attack on an Iraqi military base that left three U.S. service members wounded. In response, President Joe Biden ordered retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed militia groups and the U.S. has long accused Iran of supporting militant groups in the Middle East. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the President was briefed and held a call with his national security team before ordering the strikes.
Posts tagged as “Defense Lloyd Austin”
US and China have resumed high-level military to military communications for the first time in over a year, following a commitment made by President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The call between Gen. Charles Q. Brown and Gen. Liu Zhenli is a step in the right direction and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is working to set up further calls at various levels. The call is hoped to reduce tensions and prevent any potential conflict.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is convening a virtual meeting of defense ministers to address the recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. The attacks have caused major shipping lines and oil transporters to suspend their services, and Austin is expected to provide more specifics on the American strategy during Tuesday's meeting. The international community is waiting to see how the United States will respond to the situation, which has already rocked global trade.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the White House on Tuesday to demonstrate the United States' commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The White House is pushing for Congress to pass a $110 billion package of wartime funding for Ukraine, and Zelenskyy will deliver remarks at the National Defense University and speak to a meeting of all senators. This visit is a significant step in the United States' commitment to Ukraine and a reminder of the importance of continued support.
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, but the resolution was vetoed by the United States. This has been met with criticism from the international community, and the Security Council is expected to continue to discuss the resolution in the coming days. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have both expressed their concerns about the civilian casualties in Gaza, and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has been interviewed on the issue.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday to reaffirm the United States' commitment to providing financial and military support to Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion. Over 50 countries have joined the U.S. in providing support to Ukraine, which has been instrumental in helping the country to withstand the Russian invasion and continue to fight for its sovereignty. Austin's visit is a clear sign that the U.S. is committed to standing by Ukraine in its fight against Russia, even as the world's attention is focused on other global conflicts.
Five U.S. service members were tragically killed in a helicopter crash over the Mediterranean Sea on Sunday. Search and rescue efforts were launched immediately, but all five crew members were unable to be saved. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a statement in response, emphasizing the risks that service members take to protect the nation. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
The United States has conducted two sets of self-defense strikes in Syria against facilities used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in response to attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes were conducted at the direction of President Biden and were a “precision self-defense strike” to protect U.S. personnel and facilities. This is the first time the U.S. has targeted Iran-linked facilities in Syria and is part of an effort to combat Iran's presence in the region.