Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and requested a classified briefing on the State Department’s planning to ensure the safety of Americans who might be in areas where conflict will escalate on Friday.
Full text of the letter may be found here and below.
October 20, 2023
The Honorable Antony Blinken
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Secretary Blinken,
Yesterday, the State Department issued a notice for United States citizens in the Middle East, recommending “worldwide caution” and planning due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, [and] the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Ensuring the safety and security of Americans abroad is a critical duty of the United States government. Accordingly, please provide Congress with a classified briefing as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than Thursday, October 26, on the State Department’s planning to support and, if needed, rapidly evacuate Americans from areas where conflict might escalate.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
