WASHINGTON, Nov 20 - RIA Novosti. The United States will maintain a significant military presence in the Middle East and, if necessary, will increase it, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin said.
Austin added that the United States gives priority to diplomacy and considers military force as a means of support.
According to him, Washington "insists on deepening multilateral partnerships" in the Middle East, which could reflect the threats facing the region.
Among them, Austin listed the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis, the problems of nuclear proliferation, the activities of extremist groups, as well as "Iran's support for terrorist groups." The head of the department claims that the Iranian attack drones prevent the United States from fighting the militants.
