U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, included a provision to enhance cooperation with our Middle East partners and increase the ability to interdict maritime threats in the region that will become law in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024.
“As Iran-backed terrorist proxies increase their attacks in the Middle East and threaten our servicemembers, I am proud to take action to defend against these threats and protect American lives,” said Ernst. “It’s America first, but never America alone. By enabling the U.S. to increase security cooperation with our partners and allies in the Middle East, we can deter Iran and its proxies and work towards a more prosperous region. With the world imploding, this key legislation could not come at a more important time.”
Ernst’s bipartisan Maritime Architecture and Response to International Terrorism in the Middle East (MARITIME) Act, co-led with Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), requires the Department of Defense to develop a strategy with partners and allies in the Middle East to counter seaborne threats posed by Iran, violent extremist organizations, and criminal networks. An integrated maritime security architecture will expand U.S. intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities, as well as operational coordination in the region to defend against common threats.
Woohoo! Phony Joni gets a chance for more war and more arms sales for the defense industry! I’m sure Phony Joni is making them squeal – with delight!