Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III departs on a trip Thursday, November 18, to meet with government and military leaders in the Kingdom of Bahrain and United Arab Emirates.
In Bahrain, Secretary Austin will meet with senior government officials to affirm the strength of our defense partnership and discuss joint priorities in the Middle East.
While in Bahrain, Secretary Austin will also deliver remarks at the annual International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue that will reaffirm the U.S. resolve to advance and strengthen enduring defense partnerships and commitment to the long-standing U.S. leadership role in strengthening regional security and stability. The IISS Manama Dialogue brings together defense ministers, chiefs of defense, and other high-ranking government officials from across the Middle East region and beyond. While at the Dialogue, the Secretary will hold a series of bilateral meetings with partners and allied leadership from around the world.
In the United Arab Emirates, Secretary Austin will meet with senior government officials to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.- UAE strategic partnership.
In both locations, Secretary Austin will take the opportunity to visit servicemembers deployed and stationed with the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Air Forces Central Command, thank them for their service, sacrifice, and dedication, and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving week.