Biden to Meet With Netanyahu Ahead of Israeli PM’s Congressional Address

Blinken and Austin Set to Tour Indo-Pacific and Affirm US Dedication to Region

July 22, 2024 TruthUSA

State and Defense departments say visits to Asia this week will highlight a US commitment to regional peace and stability.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have announced plans to tour the Indo-Pacific region this week, to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to allies and partners in the region.

Addressing reporters at a press briefing on July 22, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Mr. Blinken will depart for Asia on Wednesday, with planned stops in Vietnam, Laos, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, and Mongolia.

The Pentagon announced Mr. Austin will depart on July 26, join Mr. Blinken for the Japan and Philippines portions of the trip, and then return to the United States.

The State Department spokesman said Mr. Blinken will focus on growing the U.S.–Vietnamese strategic partnership during his visit to Hanoi.

Mr. Blinken will continue to build on U.S. relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Laos, attending ASEAN–U.S. partnership and Mekong–U.S. partnership meetings.

The secretary of state plans to discuss economic development in the region, efforts to address climate change, and the civil war in Burma.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will join Mr. Blinken during his visit to Japan for a dialogue with Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru, and Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko.

Mr. Austin and Mr. Kihara will also meet with South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik to discuss security cooperation between the three nations.

Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (L), U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (C), and South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik (R) in Singapore on June 2, 2024. (Caroline Chia/AFP via Getty Images) — Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (L), U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (C), and South Korea’s Defense Minister Shin Won-sik (R) in Singapore on June 2, 2024. (Caroline Chia/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr. Blinken and Mr. Austin will next meet with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo where Mr. Miller said the four will discuss a “shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region and support for adherence to international law in maritime domains.”

The visit to Manila follows recent tension with the Chinese Communist Party, after Chinese coast guard sailors attempted to stop a Philippine vessel from resupplying sailors staking out the Philippines’ claim over the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

The secretary of state will part ways with the defense secretary and continue to Singapore, where he will meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

Mr. Blinken plans to discuss security, economic, climate, and technology objectives with these Singaporean leaders.

Lastly, in Mongolia, Mr. Miller said the secretary of state will discuss the country’s security, and expanding economic ties with the United States.

Mr. Miller said the leaders will highlight new professional and educational exchanges, English language programs in Mongolia, and plans for direct flights between the two countries.

After the Philippines, Mr. Austin plans to return to the United States, to host Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Penny Wong in Annapolis on Aug. 6.

“Secretary Austin will engage counterparts from four U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific as the Department of Defense continues to strengthen U.S. relationships with regional allies and partners in support of a shared vision for peace, stability, and deterrence,” the Pentagon said in a press statement.

‘Full Speed Ahead’ on Diplomacy: Miller

Mr. Miller said there was no talk of Mr. Blinken altering his Indo-Pacific travel plans following the president’s campaign decision.

The department spokesman said the secretary of state had instead relayed to his senior leadership team that the president called on them to continue their foreign policy efforts undeterred.

“The president made clear that he is focused on all the work that we’re doing, the administration is doing broadly … that we in the national security space are doing and he wants that work to continue full steam ahead over the next six months,” Mr. Miller said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens as President Joe Biden speaks during a conference call on Sept. 17, 2021, in Washington. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

President Biden has said he intends to serve out the remainder of his term and hos administration will continue carrying on with his policies while Vice President Kamala Harris works to secure her party’s nomination.

“We do think it is important that everyone in the department hear loud and clear that the work that we have been engaged in over the course of the past three and a half years remains a high priority and that everyone should remain focused on getting that work done,” Mr. Miller added.

The Biden administration is currently balancing its attention across multiple foreign policy fronts, building on Indo-Pacific partnerships to counter the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), while also supporting Ukraine’s war with Russia and Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Last week, Mr. Blinken reported negotiators are nearing completion of a cease-fire and hostage release deal that could bring the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan announced on July 19 that President Biden expected to meet with Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the negotiations when the Israeli leader visits the United States this week.

The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for more details about this meeting but did not receive a response by publication time.

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