By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2013 – Decisions made today regarding the
Middle East will have far-reaching impact on future security, not only
in the immediate region, but also around the world, the commander of
U.S. Central Command said here today.
Speaking here at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations’ annual
policy-makers conference, Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the
shared responsibilities in the region.
“Each of us has an
undeniable stake and a clear role to play in the universal pursuit of
improved stability and sovereignty and greater prosperity and security,”
he told the forum.
Conceding the “incredibly dynamic and
volatile, and often chaotic” nature of the region, Austin said that
“when things go badly there, it has a clear and considerable impact.”
“The past has shown that when the region experiences any degree of
strife and bloodshed or increased instability, every country there and
others around the globe feel the effects,” he said.
“And of course,
security and stability in the Middle East and in South and Central Asia
are important to us and to our partners because of the potential impact
on our vital interests.”
Those interests include the free flow of
resources through key shipping lanes, the defense of the U.S. homeland
against the threat of terrorism and extremism, and the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, he said.
Austin said he’s
particularly concerned about the spread of ethno-sectarian violence
throughout the region, as well as the growing threat posed by radical
Islamists and other extremist groups. “If these activities spark further
aggression or if the events become linked, it could lead to a
regionwide crisis lasting a decade or more,” he warned.
These
challenges are exacerbated by the availability of ungoverned spaces and
other adverse conditions that contribute to increased unrest and malign
activities, he said.
“And so, as leaders, we must study and
understand the unique dynamics at play, along with the trends or
currents that connect the various events and crises together,” he said.
“Without this knowledge and appreciation of history, we can’t hope to
effectively influence outcomes or bring about a peaceful end to
conflicts and situations as they arise.”
Since assuming command
of Centcom in March, Austin said, he has focused on managing current
conflicts, preventing confrontations from escalating and ultimately,
promoting conditions that lead to a lasting security and stability.
Doing so depends largely on the might and preparedness of the U.S.
military, working in concert with other elements of U.S. power and
influence, he said. “Our civilian leadership stands ready to employ all
these instruments of power in order to secure our vital interests across
the Middle East and beyond,” he added.
Meanwhile, Austin
emphasized ongoing efforts to promote partner capacity, largely through
joint training exercises, education, foreign military sales and
financing programs. The continued U.S. presence in the region and
through the strong regional relationships established and strengthened
through it is particularly important to this effort, he said.
While focusing on the future, Austin said, decisions made and actions
taken today will have a long-term effect. He identified three major
challenges now facing the region: the conflict in Afghanistan, the civil
war in Syria and activities by Iran.
“The fact is that together
we have accomplished a great deal in Afghanistan,” he said. “We have
improved the conditions there, and we have given the Afghan people a
real chance and hope for a better life.
“That said, there is
still more work to be done,” he acknowledged, emphasizing U.S. interest
in an enduring relationship with Afghanistan and a security agreement
that provides a continued U.S. presence there. “We want to do all we can
to help preserve the hard-earned gains achieved over the years by the
Afghans and by the U.S. and coalition forces,” he said.
“Afghanistan has the potential to thrive and prosper,” he said,
encouraging Afghan leaders to make the decisions needed to ensure the
opportunity afforded them isn’t squandered.
Austin called the
civil war in Syria one of the most complex and challenging he has seen
in his 38 years of military service. The conflict, driven by sectarian
issues rather than ideology, is further complicated by the presence of
chemical weapons and the proxy activity by Iran and other nation states,
he said.
He expressed concern about extremist activity within
Syria that threatens to spill beyond its borders and negatively affect
the broader region.
Austin said he’s hopeful Syria will make good
on its pledge to eliminate its chemical weapons, but emphasized that
the military option remains on the table if it doesn’t. “We remain
postured and ready to take action if called upon in the event that the
regime does not fulfill its obligations during the agreed-upon
timeframe,” he said.
Ultimately, the civil war in Syria won’t be
resolved militarily, and will require a diplomatic or political
solution, Austin said.
Warning that the situation could grow into
a long, drawn-out conflict that extends across the region, he said,
“all of us have a vested interest in seeing a stable and secure Syria
achieved.”
Meanwhile, Austin also expressed hope that a diplomatic solution can be reached regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
President Barack Obama has been clear that the United States will not
tolerate Iran’s development or use of nuclear weapons, Austin told the
forum. “All options required to enforce this policy remain on the table,
to include the military option,” he said. “And we at U.S. Central
Command stand ready to support any and all policy decisions made by our
president and our civilian leadership.”
But Austin said other
malign and destabilizing activity by Iran remains a concern not only by
the United States, but also by its partners in the region.
“As I
have told our partners in the region, with or without a nuclear threat,
the United States has been and will remain a force for stability in the
Middle East,” Austin said. Although hopeful that Iran will change its
current course, he added, “we, like our friends and allies, will always
listen to what Iran says while paying even greater attention to its
actions.”
Meanwhile, he said, the United States and its partners
will continue to stand ready to respond in the event that Iran poses a
threat to the security of their people and their interests.
How
the international community responds to these and other challenges in
the Middle East will have long-term historical impact, Austin said.
“These are important and historic times,” he said. “The challenges
before us are undoubtedly great, and the consequences of failure are
significant and lasting.”
Recognizing that some people believe
it’s time to disengage from the Middle East to focus elsewhere, Austin
said that likely never will be a viable option.
“We must and we
will remain present and engaged,” he said. “The Middle East is extremely
important, because … what occurs there, good and bad, has shown to have
an indelible impact on the global economy and security and stability in
other parts of the world, to include here in the U.S.”
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