WASHINGTON — The U.S. military plans to expand relations and improve interagency cooperation with many nations in the Mideast.
Officials said the military's Central Command, European Command and new
African Command have been directed to increase cooperation with a range of
Middle East states. They said the U.S. military has sought greater
coordination with such countries as Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya
and Gulf Arab states.
"The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan weigh heavily on the minds of the
American people as they do on mine, but we must not be myopic in our view,"
Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. "There is
more to the Middle East than those two countries."
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Mullen, who assumed his post on Oct. 1, said the Middle East marked a
key region in the war against Al Qaida. In an Oct. 25 address to the Center
for a New American Security, Mullen envisioned security relationships based
on both military and non-military elements, Middle East Newsline reported.
"Security is necessary, but it is not sufficient," Mullen said. "We must
integrate our capabilities with all instruments of national power. And that
starts with a better and stronger interagency and the relationships
therein."
Mullen said the U.S. military must be prepared to face threats from Al
Qaida-aligned cells, weapons of mass destruction and proliferation. He said
Washington must formulate a policy that would deter Iran and North Korea.
"I am eager to engage your diverse intellectual resources and thoughtful
debate," Mullen told his audience, "and welcome your contributions in
identifying potential answers to these and other critical questions."
