IRIA News

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in the Middle East on a multi-day trip to discuss the ongoing regional affairs with his counterparts and regional leadership.

Austin made stops in Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain and visited the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier which was immediately deployed in the Mediterranean Sea following the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Austin’s trip to the Middle East comes at a time when the U.S. is delicately balancing its steadfast support for Israel while the rest of the world is demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The U.S. has found itself increasingly isolated over its stance on the war between Israel and Hamas. Popular opinion within the U.S. and the rest of the world has become increasingly vocal about the plight of civilians in Gaza as Israeli strikes keep racking up casualties.

The U.S. Defense Secretary arrived in Tel Aviv on December 18, 2023, to participate in talks with the Israeli defense chief focused eventual end to the high-intensity attacks in Gaza and its transition to a more limited, focused conflict. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Austin discussed the goals and objectives of Israel’s campaign against the Hamas terror group in Gaza with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Honored to meet with @IsraeliPM today. My fourth trip to Israel as Secretary of Defense and my second since the October 7 attacks underscores an important message: the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security is unshakable. pic.twitter.com/AvgxD7AYf8

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 18, 2023

Gradual transition

During his meeting with the Israeli Defense Minister, Austin said that the U.S.’s support for Israel is ‘unshakeable’, as he urged Israel to do more to protect civilians and increase aid supplies.

Speaking alongside the Israeli defense chief at new concerns, Austin said he had discussed with Gallant how to reduce harm to civilians trapped on the battlefield. They also talked about a transition from major combat to a lower-intensity conflict.

He made it clear that Israel’s military operation in Gaza would not end any time soon, however, he urged his Israeli counterpart to take a different approach in conducting the operations. “In any campaign, there will be phases,” Austin said. “We will also continue to urge the protection of civilians during conflict and to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he added.

Gallant agreed to Austin’s proposal and said Israel would gradually transition to the next phase of its operations in Gaza. He said that displaced people would likely be able to return first to the north of the enclave.

The continuous airstrikes and ground invasion by Israel have resulted in the death of at least 19,453 people in Gaza, predominantly women and children, as reported by Palestinian health authorities. Entire neighborhoods have been obliterated, leading to the displacement of over 80 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

Security challenges in Red Sea

During his visit to Bahrain, Austin announced a new U.S.-led joint operation military operation to protect the commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea. The Operation Prosperity Guardian would focus on the “security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden”. The project has been launched in response to the recent attacks by Houthi forces on commercial marine traffic in the region.

“I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea,” Austin said in a statement.

Operation Prosperity Guardian would bring together naval forces from multiple countries including the U.S. UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, to jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The operation is also a part of the U.S. larger, Freedom of Navigation project that aims to protect commercial naval routes around the world.

Had an important meeting with the King and Crown Prince of Bahrain. From the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement to our regional security work in the maritime domain, the U.S. and Bahrain have set a strong foundation for the future. pic.twitter.com/icv3pqbaaA

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 19, 2023

While in Bahrain, Austin met with the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the Commander in Chief of Bahrain’s Defense Force Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

Secretary Austin thanked the King and Crown Prince for hosting U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) and its leadership in the region. He condemned increased Houthi aggression to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and emphasized that Houthi aggression toward commercial vessels transiting critical waterways poses risks to the free flow of commerce. Austin also conveyed his desire to work with all nations who share an interest in freedom of navigation.

Defense ties with Qatar

While making a stop in Qatar, Pentagon Chief held separate meetings with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as minister of foreign affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, who also serves as minister of state for defense affairs. During those meetings, Austin underscored the United States’ commitment to the strategic defense relationship.  

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the secretary thanked both leaders for “Qatar’s critical efforts to secure the release of 110 hostages held by Hamas and expressed hope that Hamas will release the remaining hostages.”  

He reiterated the need for regional de-escalation and underscored that the increase in U.S. military posture is a message to state and non-state actors seeking to escalate the conflict in the region.

Wheels down in Qatar. In Doha, I look forward to productive conversations that build on the strong U.S.-Qatar defense partnership to include Qatar’s hosting of U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base. pic.twitter.com/VrrKExtskD

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) December 19, 2023

“In times of crisis, Qatar answers our call,” Austin said, noting Qatar’s assistance in securing hostages held by Hamas and its crucial role in the release of five American citizens from imprisonment in Iran.  

Austin also noted Qatar’s assistance in 2021 as the U.S. military completed the evacuation to safety of more than 124,000 people from Afghanistan, one of the largest airlift operations on record.  

“Lynchpin” of Middle East deterrence

After concluding his meetings with the regional leadership in the Middle East, the Pentagon Chief made a stop at the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is nothing short of a small floating town carrying over 4,000 U.S. servicemen and eight squadrons of fighter aircraft. Austin hailed the presence of the aircraft carrier in the region as a powerful symbol of deterrence since its arrival following the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“This carrier and crew are making history. Sometimes our greatest achievements are the bad things that we stop from happening,” Austin said in an all-hands call broadcast over the ship’s intercom. “And at a moment of huge tensions in the region, you all have been the lynchpin to preventing a wider regional conflict.”

Days before visiting the Middle East, Austin announced an extension in Ford’s deployment in the region by three folds, hoping its presence would ensure the conflict from spreading further.