U.S. and U.K. Defense Secretaries Discuss Shared Security Challenges

The leaders reaffirm the strength of their alliance, addressing issues in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the role of NATO.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin III and British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps met to discuss shared security issues, emphasizing the strength of the U.S.-U.K. relationship.
The leaders discussed the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza, attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, and Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine.
The U.S. and U.K. recently carried out precision strikes against military targets in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, aiming to diminish the rebel group's ability to launch further attacks against vessels operating in international waters.
The two leaders also discussed NATO's central role in maintaining transatlantic security and condemned recent attacks in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members.
Further joint assistance to Ukraine was also a topic of discussion, with Austin looking forward to strengthening Ukraine's capability to defend its sovereign territory.