Pentagon Press Secretary Brig Gen Patrick Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke on the phone today with the Minister of Defense of the State of Kuwait, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Ali al-Salem al-Sabah, to congratulate the Minster on his recent appointment and reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Kuwait defense partnership.
Secretary Austin expressed his appreciation for Kuwait's continued hosting of U.S. forces and support to the United States and regional stability and security.