Blinken To Depart On Eight-Day Trip To Middle East And Indo-Pacific

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will depart today on an eight-day, five-country, trip which begins in Israel and Jordan for discussions on the Israel-Gaza war and concludes with a whirlwind tour of the Indo-Pacific to reassure allies that the US remains focused on long-term strategy in Asia.

• The New York Times reports that Blinken will, "urge Israel to agree to a series of brief cessations." The report is consistent with recent statements from Biden administration officials saying short humanitarian pauses would be beneficial for the delivery of aid but stopped short of calling for a general ceasefire due to concerns it could benefit Hamas.
• Blinken will then travel to Japan, South Korea, and India, “to advance collaborative efforts to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region...”
• In Tokyo, Blinken will hold bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, “to discuss bilateral priorities, including supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery and energy needs...”
• In Seoul, Blinken will meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol, Foreign Minister Park Jin, and National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong, “to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and Russia’s growing military cooperation with the DPRK, as well as instability in the Middle East.”
• In New Delhi, Blinken will participate in a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
• President Biden confirmed yesterday that he will formally tap-up Kurt Campbell, the architect of Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy, to become Deputy Secretary of State - a firm signal that the White House remains committed to the region.