HASC Hearing on U.S. Security Policy in the Middle East
The House Armed Services Committee convened on Tuesday, February 11, for a hearing on “United States Security Policy and Defense Posture in the Middle East.” The committee heard testimony from three government officials: Vice Admiral Frank Pandolfe, the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, at the Pentagon; Ambassador Anne Patterson, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs; and Elissa Slotkin, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) opened the hearing by remarking on the current volatility in the Middle East and what he called a “lack of certainty about U.S. policy in the region.” McKeon commented on the perceptions of U.S. disengagement from the region, and a weakening of U.S. credibility. Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) also touched on the growing complexity and inward-looking nature of regional affairs, asking, “how do we work in [the Middle East], understanding that we cannot control it?”
In her testimony, Patterson described the sources of unrest in the region, arguing that economic and demographic forces, compounded by the political frustrations expressed during the Arab Spring, continue to push Arab youth into more extremist and violent directions. Patterson also said that the U.S. is still an essential player in the region, both as an economic and diplomatic heavyweight.
Slotkin stressed the strategic importance of the Middle East by listing core interests in the region, and explaining how those interests are being addressed. The four “core interests” include: combating al-Qaeda and its affiliates, confronting aggression directed against the U.S. and its allies, ensuring the free flow of energy supplies, and preventing the development and/or proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Slotkin then described four tools the U.S. relies on to safeguard its interests:
- Ground, air, and navy troops (35,000 total), 40 ships, and more than 50 “freedom of navigation” exercises in and around the Persian Gulf
- Strong bilateral security relationships with U.S. allies such as Israel, Iraq and Egypt
- Increased multilateral cooperation, such as the development of a comprehensive missile defense system with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
- The coordination of dozens of joint military exercises in the region
Vice Adm. Pandolfe focused on the interaction between U.S. agencies, U.S. regional command centers, and U.S. allies in the region in their efforts to enhance regional security, build up deterrent capabilities, and prevent the outbreak of war. Pandolfe pointed to various examples of U.S. operations in the region, different military assets, the presence of a strong naval force, and a number of joint military exercises as evidence of the United States’ ability to project its power and provide access to the global commons. In addition, Pandolfe described the involvement of different U.S. leaders with their regional counterparts as proof of a strong high-level commitment to engaging with and supporting the region. Furthermore, Vice Adm. Pandolfe illustrated the strength of military-to-military cooperation through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programs, highlighting that $75 billion worth of U.S. arms sales agreements have been signed with GCC states since 2007 and that the U.S. is co-developing advanced missile defense capabilities with Israel. Finally, Pandolfe mentioned that the U.S. continues to train officers from the region, including 3,000 officers over the last 13 years.
Most of the questions posed by the attending members focused on Iran and Iraq. Chairman McKeon asked what lessons the U.S. learn can learn from the faulty transition out of Iraq in anticipation of a withdrawal from Afghanistan. Vice Chairman Mac Thornberry (R -TX) also asked about relevant lessons learned from Iraq, with specific reference to whether or not the experience in Iraq impacted U.S. credibility as a reliable partner in the region. Witnesses stressed the inflexible terms of the Status of Forces Agreement signed with Iraq in 2008, which dictated the pace of American withdrawal and current military commitments.
Randy Forbes (R-VA), Michael Conaway (R-TX), and Doug Lamborn (R-CO), all asked about the Administration’s handling of negotiations with Iran. Witnesses addressed concerns by stating that the Administration is moving forward based on verifiable Iranian actions and that all options remain on the table should the Iranians not live up to their end of the deal. They added that U.S. intelligence efforts are strong enough to detect any significant Iranian decisions regarding its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Other members asked about different aspect of U.S. policy. Ranking Member Smith asked about the tension between current volatility and U.S. efforts to promote democracy, as well as the principled language the U.S. uses in reference to promoting the values of good governance and human rights. Susan A. Davis (D-CA), asked for an assessment of the United States’ regional footprint if the size of the navy is reduced in the near future, to which Pandolfe responded that despite some concern about making necessary budgetary and size adjustments, as well as reassuring allies that the U.S. remains committed to regional engagement, the U.S. will be able to meet its security commitments.