Peters Cosponsors Legislation Strengthening U.S.-Jordan Defense Cooperation
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has cosponsored the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act, bipartisan legislation that will strengthen American military cooperation with Jordan. Along with Israel, Jordan is a key U.S. ally in the Middle East and is currently taking part in airstrikes against ISIS in both Iraq and Syria as a member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.
“As ISIS continues to sow instability in the Middle East and pose a serious threat to the global community, it is critical that we strengthen coordination with our allies in the region,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “With this week marking the 21st anniversary of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty, we recognize Jordan’s efforts to achieve peace in a region fraught with violence. Jordan has been a vital partner in the fight to eliminate ISIS, and this bipartisan bill will promote further cooperation and reinforce our steadfast relationship with Jordan.”
The United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act will improve defense coordination by:
- Including Jordan as a nation to receive “expeditious consideration” of arms transfers, for 3 years. Currently the nations receiving that consideration are NATO allies, Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.
- Issuing a Statement of Policy that the U.S. will support Jordan in its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, cooperate with Jordan to combat ISIS, and help secure the borders between Jordan and Syria and Iraq.
- Expressing the sense of Congress that including Jordan for expeditious consideration of arms transfers is fully consistent with United States foreign policy and security interests.
- Authorizing the Secretary of State to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordan to increase military cooperation, joint military exercises, economic support funds, personnel exchanges, support for international peacekeeping missions, and enhanced strategic dialogue.
In September, Senators Peters traveled to the Middle East to meet with officials in Jordan, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to discuss ongoing anti-ISIS military operations in Iraq and Syria. While in Jordan, Peters visited the Za’atari Refugee Camp to learn firsthand about the efforts of Jordan, the United States and to provide humanitarian assistance to millions of Syrian refugees.
Senator Peters has been a strong supporter of increased coordination with America’s allies in the Middle East. He included an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act that authorizes joint U.S.-Israel research on anti-tunnel defense. Israel’s security is under threat by terrorist groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas, working to maintain a series of underground tunnels to smuggle weapons and launch attacks on and kidnap Israeli citizens. Peters’ amendment promotes research, development, and test activities among the two nations in order to better detect and destroy these tunnels. In doing so, both countries would improve security and be better equipped to handle future threats. In the United States, drug and human trafficking groups have built tunnels under the southern border for illegal activity, which poses a threat to homeland security.
###
