KUWAIT CITY, Nov 24: Before the closing ceremony of the fourth US-Kuwaiti Strategic Dialogue, which is being held today in Washington, chaired by the two foreign ministers, Sheikh Dr Ahmed Al-Nasser and Mike Pompeo, to discuss the progress made by the virtual working groups during the past two weeks, a hypothetical bilateral working group was held yesterday to discuss bilateral cooperation on defense and stability of Kuwait.

The group is chaired by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Simon Leden, and the Assistant Chief of Staff for the Operations and Plans Authority, Brigadier General Muhammad Al-Kandari, with the participation of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Kuwaiti army. On the American side, Ambassador Alina Romanowski and Assistant Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Near East David Schenker and chief US defense official, Brigadier General Darren Slateen also attended.

Ambassador Romanowski said: “As the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait approaches, we continue to strengthen the permanent defense partnership between the United States and Kuwait that we formed together after the invasion of Kuwait, noting that the threats facing Kuwait, the United States and the region are continuing and developing.”

The discussions also focused on bilateral efforts to reduce the impact of the “Corona” pandemic, COVID-19, on military operations in order to ensure the national security of both the United States and Kuwait in addition to deterring and confronting threats from Iran and other parties by increasing interoperability and integrated air and missile defense.

The US Ambassador said: “As the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait approaches, we continue to strengthen the permanent defense partnership between the United States and Kuwait that we formed together after the invasion of Kuwait,” saying “the threats facing Kuwait, the United States and the region are in a state of continuity and development.” She added, “The strategic dialogue helps expand our bilateral defense partnership to deter these threats and prepare to defend against them. Our armies will continue to increase interoperability by seeking joint systems and training to deter threats, protect vital interests and combat terrorism.”

By Shawqi Mahmoud Al-Seyassah Staff