(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic  Times)  US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the Pentagon in Washington  D.C.  for bi-lateral talks on the Middle East May 12, 2022. 

By  Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  DC  –  PENTAGON   –  US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah ll at the Pentagon Thursday for talks on the Middle East.  Secretary Austin wanted to make it clear that despite all that is happening in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East remains a source of concern for the United States and its partners in the region.  Defense Secretary Austin  met with King Abdullah to discuss the situation in the region and examine ways for the two nations to work together even more closely.

“Jordan is a valued leader in a difficult neighborhood and a powerful partner for stability and security in the region. Of course, Russia’s unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine is on everybody’s mind. My recent meetings in Kyiv left me more determined than ever to help Ukraine better defend itself. And I look forward to hearing your views, Your Majesty, on the crisis. as well.”

-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin 

Jordan was an active partner in the coalition to defeat ISIS, and King Abdullah is working to deepen ties with Israel in support of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problems, according to the Pentagon.   Austin said  he wanted to mention U.S. concerns over the recent escalation of violence in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.  “We’re grateful for the critical role that you personally have played in de-escalating tensions. And I look forward to our ongoing work together to find a viable path to stability, security and a just peace for both Israelis and Palestinians,”   Austin stated. 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosts Jordan’s King Abdullah II for talks at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 12, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic  Times)  US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Jordan’s King Abdullah ll at the Pentagon in Washington  D.C.  for bi-lateral talks on the Middle East May 12, 2022. 

DIPLOMATIC TIMES  VIDEO  /  US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Jordan’s King Abdullah ll at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.  for bi-lateral talks on the Middle East May 12, 2022. 

U.S. Concered Over Increased Threats from Iranian-Supported Missile Attacks

Elsewhere in the region,  Austin said the U.S. is seeing increased threats from Iranian-supported missile attacks and unmanned aerial systems. “We’ll keep working together to strengthen the region’s multilateral security frameworks and to counter destabilizing activities by Iran and its proxies in Iraq, Syria and beyond,” the Defense Secretary added. 

“As you know, it’s been a core part of my mission as secretary of defense to deepen and widen our partnerships. And our partnership with Jordan is more important than ever. That’s because of our longstanding friendship, as well as the threats that we face today, including Iran’s support for terrorism, the rise of drug smuggling in the Levant and the continued threat of violent extremist organizations such as ISIS.”

-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin

For his part, King Abdullah told the Defense Secretary that the U.S.-Jordanian relationship  “has been an enduring one for many, many decades, but specifically between our armed forces.”  The King spoke of pride about the relationship. 

“We have stood shoulder to shoulder in many parts of the world. And this is a source of pride and honor for us Jordanians.”

-Jordan King Abdullah ll

“As you said, sir, there are a series of issues that we have to deal with and we’re here in Washington to see how we can coordinate and collaborate with our American friends. And I’d be very interested in getting to these details with you soon, knowing that I think a group of us Arab leaders are looking at how, coming out of two years of COVID, with the challenges now, as you said, Ukraine and Russia complicating things in our region, that we really need to do the heavy lifting on behalf of the United States to bring parties together to overcome the many challenges, including, as you alluded to, the increase of terrorism that has had two years to incubate and increase because of the COVID challenges.”

-King Abdullah ll