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Ammon News - US Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander for International Security Affairs, said Jordan is a key and strategic partner in the region.

"We see Jordan as a key and strategic partner in the region, and the US defense relations with it are based on cooperation that dates back for many years, and that the annual joint drills are the best example of that and they are one of the reasons for my visit to Jordan," Wallander said in an interview with the JRTV.

Partnership with Jordan, Wallander explained, aims to increase the institutional capacity of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) and empower its military capabilities.

Wallander said "enhancing military capabilities in joint exercises, maneuvers and operations contributes to strengthening our joint security and Jordan's pivotal role in regional security".

When asked about the Kingdom's role in a crisis-hit region, she said that the United States is proud to work with Jordan, its strategic partner.

SHe added that her country is fully aware of the urgent security and regional challenges Jordan is facing, such as securing borders and combating all forms of smuggling, in addition to the regional challenge posed by the ISIS terrorist gang and, recently, the disturbing activities by Iran which would undermine regional security.

"Therefore, our partnership with the Jordan Armed Forces must be enabled and enhanced across many fields, to be able to overcome the challenges facing the Kingdom, which ultimately constitute a security challenge for the American people," Wallander added.

On the partnership with Jordan in the international efforts to combat terrorism, Wallander expressed appreciation to Jordan. "Jordan has always been and remains a strong partner. Jordanian cooperation is not only with our armed forces, but also with many countries, regionally and internationally. Jordan is a partner you can rely on, as it thinks in a way that enables it to move forward."

She pointed out that Jordan, through its role, has shown everyone that it is a strategic partner with many international partners "and we are proud of this partnership".

Wallander said that the Jordanian-US relationship is based on mutual respect and trust between leaders and individuals on both sides and that joint and periodic military drills are based on specialized military educational programs.

"This means that we understand each other well and we will then be able to respond to the Syrian crisis and your internal challenges," Wallander noted.

Wallander lauded Jordan's role in improving the lives of people in other countries.