U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, head of Central Command, said his visits to Centcom’s area of responsibility has three objectives that focus on fostering partnerships to address regional issues, DoD News reported Wednesday.
Cheryl Pellerin writes Votel’s AOR visits seek to understand regional complexities through partners’ perspectives; foster relations with partners and learn how the command’s headquarters can aid forces in the area as well as inform Washington leaders on Centcom matters.
“We don’t do anything by ourselves here, so it is extraordinarily important to meet face to face with all our partners,” Votel told reporters during his visit to the area.
Votel also addressed the difference of counter-terrorism efforts against the Islamic State militant organization in Iraq and Syria, Pellerin wrote.
The Centcom commander said anti-IS group operations in Iraq are backed by the government while the situation in Syria is influenced by other “regional powers.”
