Last week, I traveled throughout the Middle East as part of a Congressional Delegation led by the Speaker of the House to evaluate the rising influence of ISIS and Iran, and to examine the potential impacts on U.S. interests at home and abroad. We couldn’t talk about the trip beforehand or during due to security protocols, so I want to take a moment now to tell you about our travels.
Over an eight day span, we travelled to Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Israel. We had a packed agenda of meetings with key officials from these allied countries, as well as our American ambassadors and military personnel throughout the region. In particular, we met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad, His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
As you know, this is a critical time in the Middle East; a real tipping point. Decisions made in the next months and years will determine what the future holds, not just for that region, but for the United States and the world. That’s why it is important for me as your Representative in Congress to see firsthand what it’s like on the ground and to hear directly from our allies, ambassadors and military personnel.
The biggest takeaway for me was reinforcing the need for strong American leadership to, 1) defeat and destroy ISIS once and for all, and 2) prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon at all costs.
It was also important to meet with face to face with Prime Minister Netanyahu and reassure him that the American people stand with Israel and that we will continue to work with its leaders to promote peace in the region.
As Congress reconvenes next week, these topics will be at the forefront of the agenda. Right now, legislation to require Congressional approval of President Obama’s deal with Iran is gaining bi-partisan support. Also, discussions about our military’s role in the fight against ISIS are ongoing. I look forward to engaging in these important deliberations in the weeks to come.
I’m grateful for the privilege of traveling throughout the Middle East during this seminal time, and I appreciate the willingness of each of these nations’ officials to meet with us. It is a great honor to represent our country abroad. I want to say a special thank you to the individuals who work on behalf of the United States around the world, from our ambassadors and the diplomatic security teams to our military personnel. The work they do so far from home is critical for protecting our nation’s interests at home and overseas.
Martha Roby represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.
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