Work Gives Operational Update at Global Security Forum
By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2014 – Deputy Defense Secretary Robert O. Work gave a rundown of U.S. military operations around the world as part of a wide-ranging speech he delivered at the Center for Strategic and International Studies here today.
Work's discussion of current operations at the think tank described the U.S. military's worldwide commitment and reach.
The topics of Iraq and Syria dominated Work's remarks. The coalition bombing campaign in Iraq and Syria, he said, is degrading the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
"But airstrikes are just one element of our campaign," Work said. "Teams of U.S. and coalition advisors are helping Iraq regenerate and restructure their security forces so they can take the offensive."
U.S. Observes Events in Iran
America also continues to watch events in Iran, the deputy secretary said. He reiterated that America's first priority with respect to Iran is that the country does not obtain nuclear weapons.
In West Africa, he said, President Barack Obama has ordered American troops to support the U.S.'s civilian-led contributions to another comprehensive international effort to fight Ebola at the source.
"DoD is deploying up to 4,000 troops to provide command and control, engineering, training, and logistics support" in combating the Ebola virus in West Africa, Work said.
Meanwhile, he said, the U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan is ending and American troops there are transitioning to an advise-and-assist role.
"Going forward, we will continue to disrupt the threat posed by al-Qaida there, train, advise, and assist Afghan security forces and ministries, and give the Afghan people the opportunity to succeed as they stand on their own," Work said.
Russian Actions in Ukraine
Russian aggression in Ukraine is the focus of American and partner efforts in Europe, the deputy defense secretary said. Americans are working closely with NATO allies and other partners, he said, to dissuade further Russian aggression in Ukraine, promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and deter future Russian intimidation or military action against its neighbors. U.S. forces are active in the Baltic republics and Poland. American ships patrol alongside NATO allies in the Baltic and Black seas. And U.S. fighter jets are part of the Baltic Air Policing Mission.
"As President Obama has made clear, our collective defense commitments to our NATO allies are absolutely unwavering," Work said. The president, he added, has requested funds for American forces on the continent.
Meanwhile, territorial disputes and sometimes-heated maritime claims are causing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, Work said.
"We're also dealing with threats from North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and its continued provocations against our close ally, South Korea," he added.
The Asia-Pacific "is a region of ever-increasing importance and a growing focus for the entire U.S. government, as reflected in the president's strategy of rebalancing our political, economic and military engagements in the region," Work said.
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