Pentagon chief on inaugural tour of Europe to shore up defense ties
15 hours ago
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu give statements after their meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, Monday, April 12, 2021. (Menahem Kahana/Pool via AP)
BERLIN — Nearly a year after President Donald Trump ordered thousands of troops to leave Germany, capping a series of setbacks for U.S. relations with major allies, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday began an inaugural tour of Europe to shore up partnerships that are a cornerstone of the post-World War II order.
Austin arrived in Berlin against the backdrop of a newly emerging crisis with Iran, which on Monday blamed Israel for a recent attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility. Israel has not confirmed or denied involvement, but the attack nonetheless imperils ongoing talks in Europe over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal.