Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III speaks with Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,  in Kuwait City Sept. 8, 2021 C(redit U.S. DOD Photo by Chad  J. McNeele)

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON DC –  Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Wednesday September 8 in Kuwait City as part of travels to Gulf States to reaffirm America’s “strong defense relationships and  cooperation in the region.   Secretary Austin thanked Kuwait’s leaders for their “critical role in supporting the evacuation of U.S. citizens and at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan and reaffirmed his commitment to the enduring U.S.-Kuwait strategic relationship”,  according to a statement from Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby.   Secretary Austin also expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s hospitality in hosting U.S. forces. 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III shares a laugh with Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain in Manama, Sept. 7, 2021 (Credit U.S. DOD Photo by Chad  J. McNeele)

 Secretary of  Defense Austin III met on September 7 with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama, Bahrain, to thank them for Bahrain’s exceptional support in facilitating the safe transit of evacuees from Afghanistan. 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks at a press availabiliity wuth Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah in Doha, Qatar, Sept. 7, 2021 (Credit: US DOD Photo by Chad J. McNeely)