WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to travel to the United Kingdom on Monday, the State Department said, a week after Britain suspended some arms export licenses to Israel over the possibility that the weapons could be used in the war in Gaza.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Saturday that Blinken will open the US-UK Strategic Dialogue during the visit, which is scheduled to last until Tuesday, “to reaffirm our special relationship.”
Blinken will also meet with senior government officials to discuss issues including the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S.-Australia-UK defense pact known as AUKUS, the situation in the Middle East and collective efforts to support Ukraine in the fight against Russia.
Britain announced on September 2 that it had decided to immediately suspend 30 of 350 arms export licenses to Israel, saying they were likely to be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law in the war against Palestinian factions in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
The administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is under pressure from critics of the war to suspend some arms deliveries to Israel, Washington’s closest ally in the Middle East.
A US official said in July that the Biden administration would resume shipping 500-pound bombs to Israel but would continue to hold off on providing 2,000-pound bombs over concerns they could be used in Gaza.
Reuters
#Blinken #heads #Monday #discuss #Middle #East #Ukraine
2024-09-09 07:55:55
Table of Contents
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Visit UK Amid Tensions Over Arms Export Licenses
In a significant development, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to the United Kingdom on Monday, September 9, 2024, for a two-day visit [2]. This trip comes at a crucial time, just a week after Britain suspended some arms export licenses to Israel over concerns that the weapons could be used in the ongoing conflict in Gaza [NULL].
During his visit, Secretary Blinken will open the US-UK Strategic Dialogue, aimed at reaffirming the special relationship between the two nations [NULL]. He is also scheduled to meet with senior government officials, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy [1], to discuss a range of pressing issues.
Key agenda items for the talks include the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S.-Australia-UK defense pact known as AUKUS, and the situation in the Middle East [NULL]. Additionally, Secretary Blinken will engage in discussions on collective efforts to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia [NULL].
Britain’s decision to suspend arms export licenses to Israel has sparked international attention, with the UK government citing concerns that the weapons could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law [NULL]. This move has added a layer of complexity to the diplomatic landscape, and Secretary Blinken’s visit is likely to address these concerns and explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
According to reports, Secretary Blinken’s trip is expected to include a strategic dialogue with UK officials, aimed at deepening cooperation on a range of issues, including security, trade, and global governance [3].
As the United States and the United Kingdom navigate the complexities of global politics, Secretary Blinken’s visit to the UK is seen as a crucial step in strengthening ties between the two nations. The trip is expected to provide a platform for both countries to engage in frank discussions, address areas of concern, and explore opportunities for cooperation on key issues.
The US-UK Strategic Dialogue, set to take place during Secretary Blinken’s visit, will provide a vital forum for both nations to reaffirm their commitment to their special relationship and work together to address the challenges of the 21st century [NULL]. As the world grapples with regional conflicts, great power rivalries, and global governance issues, the meeting between Secretary Blinken and UK officials is poised to have significant implications for international relations.
What are the primary objectives of Secretary Blinken’s visit to the UK in September 2024 amid tensions over arms export licenses?
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Visit UK Amid Tensions Over Arms Export Licenses
In a significant development, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to the United Kingdom on Monday, September 9, 2024, for a two-day visit[[[2]]. This trip comes at a crucial time, just a week after Britain suspended some arms export licenses to Israel over concerns that the weapons could be used in the ongoing conflict in Gaza[[[NULL]].
During his visit, Secretary Blinken will open the US-UK Strategic Dialogue, aimed at reaffirming the special relationship between the two nations[[[NULL]]. He is also scheduled to meet with senior government officials, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy[[[1]], to discuss a range of pressing issues.
Key agenda items for the talks include the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S.-Australia-UK defense pact known as AUKUS, and the situation in the Middle East[[[NULL]]. Additionally, Secretary Blinken will engage in discussions on collective efforts to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia[[[NULL]].
Britain’s decision to suspend arms export licenses to Israel has sparked international attention, with the UK government citing concerns that the weapons could be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law[[[NULL]]. This move has added a layer of complexity to the diplomatic landscape, and Secretary Blinken’s visit is likely to address these concerns and explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations.
According to reports, Secretary Blinken’s trip is expected to include a strategic dialogue with UK officials, aimed at deepening cooperation on a range of issues, including security, trade, and global governance[[[3]]. As the United States and the United Kingdom navigate the complexities of global politics, Secretary Blinken’s visit to the UK is seen as a crucial step in strengthening ties between the two nations. The trip is expected to provide a platform for both countries to engage in frank discussions, addressing key issues and exploring ways to bolster their special relationship.
Background
Secretary Blinken’s visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remaining a pressing concern. The suspension of arms export licenses by the UK government has added to the complexity of the situation, with the US administration facing pressure to reconsider its arms sales to Israel.
In recent years, the US and UK have maintained a strong strategic partnership, with cooperation on issues such as security, trade, and global governance. The US-UK Strategic Dialogue is a key mechanism for strengthening this partnership, with regular meetings between senior officials from both countries.
Previous Visits
This is not Secretary Blinken’s first visit to the UK. In December 2022, he traveled to Liverpool, United Kingdom, to attend the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting[[[3]]. The visit provided an opportunity for Secretary Blinken to engage with his UK counterparts and discuss a range of global issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and human rights.
Key Takeaways
Secretary Blinken’s visit to the UK comes at a crucial time, with tensions running high in the Middle East and Britain having suspended arms export licenses to Israel.
The trip is expected to focus on reaffirming the special relationship between
