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Lloyd James Austin III is a retired United States Army general who served as the 28th United States secretary of defense, from 2021 to 2025, under the Biden administration.
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politics · American U.S. Army general (born 1953) · military officer · politician · also Lloyd J. Austin III, Lloyd Austin, Lloyd J. Austin, Lloyd James Austin, III
Born 8 August 1953 · Q941013
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President Biden Hosts the Joint Chiefs and Combatant Commanders for a Meeting
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The killing today of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the terrorist group Hamas, by Israeli forces is a major achievement in counterterrorism. Sinwar's death will not heal the wounds of the October 7th atrocities that he plotted, or the many deaths for which he is responsible, but I hope that it may bring some small measure of justice and solace to the families and the loved ones of the many victims of Sinwar's premeditated cruelty.
For the past four years, we've stood up to our rivals, we've weakened our foes, strengthened our friends, invested in our future, and done right by our people. Now, that doesn't just happen. And I am incredibly grateful to the exceptional team that has changed the course of history.
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“The killing today of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the terrorist group Hamas, by Israeli forces is a major achievement in counterterrorism. Sinwar's death will not heal the wounds of the October 7th atrocities that he plotted, or the many deaths for which he is responsible, but I hope that it may bring some small measure of justice and solace to the families and the loved ones of the many victims of Sinwar's premeditated cruelty.”
“For the past four years, we've stood up to our rivals, we've weakened our foes, strengthened our friends, invested in our future, and done right by our people. Now, that doesn't just happen. And I am incredibly grateful to the exceptional team that has changed the course of history.”
“I am the leader of the most powerful military in the history of the world. I don”
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“This would isolate Russia on the world stage to a degree you Russians cannot fully appreciate.”
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“m here in Angola to strengthen that robust and equal partnership. But I”
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“Your forces and your people have inspired the world, and you have seen firsthand how this contact group has moved heaven and earth to get Ukraine what it needs.”
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“s ongoing aggression. He said, “Today”
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“Together, we have reaffirmed the extraordinary strength of our AUKUS partnership and we showed our shared vision for an open, free, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Our three proud democracies share a deep and binding belief in the rules based international order and in a system that respects human rights upholds the rule of law and insists that disputes be resolved peacefully. We also understand that we are stronger together, and that”
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Awarded Great Cross with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2025).
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To advance maritime safety and rule of law in the region
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Austin spoke with Israeli minister of defense Yoav Gallant to discuss reports on the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the terrorist assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 Israelis and
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Austin released a statement about a series of precision strikes conducted earlier that day by U
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Austin told Israeli defense minister Gallant that the United States supports Israel's ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon
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Austin, Marles and Healey each announced the winners from their respective nations at the Defence Ministers Meeting at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London
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During a joint press conference with his Australian and UK counterparts, Defense Minister Richard Marles and Defense Secretary Josh Healey, following the AUKUS Defense Ministerial Meeting in London, Austin said: "Togethe
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Following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh by Israel, Austin reiterated an "unwavering commitment" to Israel's security and said the United States would come to its defense if needed
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The Biden administration resumed shipments of the 500-pound bombs to Israel, which were halted in May over concerns about the humanitarian impact of Israel's use of them in killing Palestinians in Gaza
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Austin and Dong met in Singapore on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue, ending an almost 18-month break since the two countries’ top defense officials last spoke in person
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Austin spoke on the phone with Admiral Dong Jun, Minister of National Defense of the People's Republic of China (PRC)
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Secretary Austin marked 10 years of the global coalition to defeat ISIL, while welcoming Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to the Pentagon
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Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Pentagon had no evidence that Israel was carrying out a genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip
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The Defense Department announced plans to undertake an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza to deliver up to 2,000,000 humanitarian aid meals per-day
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Austin met with Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz
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Austin testified before the House Armed Services Committee regarding his hospitalization
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Ruling that while "it is plausible that Israel's conduct amounts to genocide," US foreign policy was a political question over which courts lacked jurisdiction
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Austin was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to complications following a minimally invasive surgical procedure conducted on December 22, 2023, to address his prostate cancer (prostatectomy
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Austin declared that American support for Israel is "unshakeable"
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Austin announced the establishment of a multinational maritime task force, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to address attacks from Houthis in Yemen on commercial ships and other targets
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Austin stated that "the United States will remain Israel’s closest friend in the world
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It was announced that AUKUS partners would launch the Innovation Challenge Series in the first half of 2024
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Defence for Children International, Al-Haq, and Palestinians living in Gaza and the United States, represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights, filed a lawsuit against Austin, President Joe Biden and Secretary of
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Arrived in Israel and met with Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant
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The day after the Hamas attack on Israel, Austin directed Gerald R
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Marking the second anniversary of the establishment of AUKUS, Austin said: "I am incredibly proud of the tireless work of this department and our U
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Awarded Knight Grand Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania (2023).
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Austin said: The PRC is our pacing challenge
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Austin testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on DoD's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2024 and the Future Years Defense Program
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Austin stated that "ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other such a terrorist groups continue to threaten the security of the United States"
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“I am incredibly proud of the tireless work of this department and our U.K. and Australian counterparts, and I am confident in the bright future of our historic partnership. Working together over these past two years, we have accelerated efforts toward our common goals faster than anyone would have thought possible.”
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“Our network of alliances and partnerships is one of America”
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“Iran remains the primary driver of instability in the region and we remain deeply concerned by Iran”
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“ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other such a terrorist groups continue to threaten the security of the United States”
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“the United States will remain Israel’s closest friend in the world. Our support for Israel’s security is non-negotiable. And it never will be.”
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“re driving hard to meet it. Our budget builds on our previous investments to deter aggression. We”
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“will continue to fulfill our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act. That includes assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability.”
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“Again, I do have concerns about reciprocity [against U.S. military personnel] going forward.”
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Awarded Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 2nd class (2022).
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Austin condemned China's "provocative, destabilising" military activity near Taiwan, a day after China's defence minister Wei Fenghe warned Austin that "if anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will d
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Austin met with Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani in Kabul
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Under Biden's direction, Austin coordinated military defensive airstrikes against an Iranian-backed militia in Syria
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Austin spoke to Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, saying that "We discussed the continued commitment to the 70-year US-Saudi security partnership, and I'm looking forward to working together to achieve regional sec
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Austin told reporters at the Pentagon that the Biden administration had not yet determined whether the U
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After being sworn in by a Defense Department official, and was later sworn in ceremonially by Vice President Kamala Harris on January 25, 2021
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“The heroes we lost that day gave their lives to defend their teammates and to help save the lives of tens of thousands of innocent Afghan people who sought freedom and the opportunity for a better life.”
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“In terms of whether or not [Afghanistan”
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“We do crucial work together with our friends in this [Middle East] region—to deter aggression from any quarter, to disrupt terrorist networks, and to maintain freedom of navigation in some of the world”
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Career landmark: United States Secretary of Defense (2021–2025).
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It was reported that President-elect Joe Biden would nominate Austin as secretary of defense
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Was nominated for defense secretary by president-elect Joe Biden and was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 22, 2021, by a vote of 93–2
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Thanks to the courage and sacrifices of the Iraqi security forces and our partners in Operation Inherent Resolve, together, we achieved the territorial defeat of Daesh [another name for ISIL]
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Austin was appointed as an independent director on the board of Tenet Healthcare
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Was appointed to Nucor's board of directors
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Austin served as the 12th commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM), beginning in March 2013
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That allows their militaries to use each other's bases for repair and replenishment of supplies
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After being nominated by President Obama in late 2012
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Career landmark: Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army (2012–2013).
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At a reduced-sized BIAP complex, and Austin's speech there cited his division's seizure of the airport over eight years beforehand
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At a ceremony at Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad, Austin was promoted to the rank of general, becoming the Army's 200th four-star general officer and the sixth African American in the U
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Austin was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed command of XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
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Was as Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver (ADC-M), 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia
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“We now know that there was no connection between Mr. Ahmadi and ISIS-Khorasan, that his activities on that day were completely harmless and not at all related to the imminent threat we believed we faced, and that Mr. Ahmadi was just as innocent a victim as were the others tragically killed. (U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Friday)”
Austin returned to the 82nd Airborne Division where he commanded the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 505th Infantry
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And a Master of Business Administration in business management from Webster University in 1989
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Austin was assigned to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was the operations officer for the Army Indianapolis District Recruiting Command, and where he later commanded a company in the Army Recruiting Battalion
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Graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree
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Born 1953-08-08.
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