Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Adam Smith (D-WA), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after returning from a congressional delegation to Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. Joining them on the delegation were Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX), both members of the committee.
“This delegation comes at a critical time. The United States and partners and allies need to work together to keep regional conflicts from escalating to wider wars. Frank conversations with friends are essential to ensuring that we secure our shared interests, address concerns, and build enduring partnerships. This is particularly important for countries that are not always in agreement but share many of the same hopes and aspirations for stability and prosperity.
“We met U.S. service members and civilian personnel throughout the region that have dedicated themselves to safeguarding our national defense and national security. We are grateful for their selfless and tireless work to keep our nation safe.
“The delegation underscored the importance of Israel’s right to self-defense and discussed joint efforts to end the conflict.
“In discussions with our partners and allies, we sought to find common ground to ensure our mutual security and common interests. We are pleased to have found much to agree on with representatives of all three countries and we will look to continue our work on counter terrorism threats, ensuring human rights and modernization reforms continue, and pushing back on Russia’s illegal and brutal war in Ukraine.”
Background:
The congressional delegation met with senior U.S. diplomatic and military personnel and senior Saudi, Turkish, and Uzbek officials. In Saudi Arabia, the delegation met with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, and Ambassador to the United States Reema bint Bandar Al Saud. In Türkiye, the delegation met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Defense Yaşar Güler, MIT Director Ibrahim Kalin, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Defense Hulusi Akar, and National Security Adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç. In Uzbekistan, the delegation met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov, and Minister of Defense, Maj. Gen. Bakhodir Kurbanov.