Stuttgart, Germany — House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks is on a bipartisan delegation that included a stop in Stuttgart, Germany where they visited AFRICOM and received a classified briefing from AFRICOM Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Brennan. The delegation includes House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, House Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, and Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Ranking Member Ami Bera. The briefing focused on the actions by the Houthis in the Red Sea, counterterrorism operations on the continent, malign actions by Russia and China throughout Africa and the threats they pose.

“I’m grateful to have heard directly from AFRICOM as conflicts, coups, terrorist activity and malign influence by Russia and China have created a challenging strategic environment in the region,” stated Ranking Member Meeks. “The work of AFRICOM and of our State Department and USAID in the region is a critical tool to help combat sources of instability and it is imperative we provide them with sufficient resources so that the United States and governments on the Continent of Africa can meet these challenges.”

“I want to thank Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Brennan for welcoming us to AFRICOM,” stated Chairman McCaul. “Africa is the fastest growing continent and security is changing rapidly. It is clear that under AFRICOM’s leadership, the United States is building new partnerships and expanding relationships with allies while staying focused on strategic issues that affect U.S. national security.”