An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.
Immediate Release

Secretary Esper Travels to Middle East and Europe

Secretary of Defense Mark Esper departs Oct. 19 to reaffirm the enduring U.S. commitment to strategic partnerships in the Middle East and Europe. 

Secretary Esper will meet with key U.S., regional and Ally leaders on a broad range of security issues, including regional stability, counter-ISIS fight, and the importance of key partnerships. 

The trip includes multiple stops across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, before he attends the NATO Ministerial in Brussels.  He will also meet with U.S. forces throughout his travels.

This is the secretary’s first trip to the Middle East as Secretary of Defense.