A Visit to the Middle East

This past weekend, I traveled to the Middle East to participate in several events with our servicemen and women and to meet with a number of our allies throughout the region. I visited Iraq, Bahrain and Jordan, and on the way back, met my European counterparts in London.

I’d like to share with you some highlights from the past few days.

On Veterans Day, I had the privilege of administering the Oath of Allegiance to over 170 U.S. soldiers at a naturalization ceremony in Iraq. They were born in over 50 countries. Ironically, the ceremony took place in an auditorium formerly used by Saddam Hussein as a movie theater. But most remarkably, these brave men and women were willing to leave their native homes and put their lives in danger to defend America before they were naturalized American citizens.

After Iraq, I went to Bahrain and met with several U.S. Coast Guard members who are assisting in Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, a small unit is doing a tremendous job securing ports in the North Arabian Gulf, augmenting U.S. Navy security forces, training Iraqi sailors and marines, and protecting Iraq’s oil infrastructure, which is crucial to overall reconstruction efforts. In addition to Coast Guard forces, DHS has Customs and Border Protection personnel stationed in and around Iraq to help train Iraqi soldiers and strengthen their border security efforts.

DHS personnel deployed overseas are directly enhancing our security at home. By working closely with Iraqi, American, and Coalition Forces, they are helping to stabilize a fledgling democracy, creating a safer Iraq and therefore a safer Middle East. And a safer Middle East means a safer world for us and our allies. These young men and women are also goodwill ambassadors, setting an example and forging relationships that enhance America’s reputation in Iraq and the Gulf.

But America also has a responsibility to extend its protection to vulnerable populations, including those in Iraq. And, of course, our greatest duty is to those who are at risk because they have worked side by side with our military and civilian personnel. So I also visited a refugee processing facility in Jordan to examine what we are doing to process Iraqi refugees seeking asylum in our country. We are processing Iraqis faster than any other nationality and the pace is increasing. At the same time, we have to remain thorough in our screening procedures, so terrorists and criminals do not exploit our refugee process to sneak into the country. DHS, U.S. State Department, and Jordanian officials are equally committed to this goal.

Thanks for reading.

Michael Chertoff