Recently, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) visited Jordan, Iraq, and Tunisia to engage with key diplomatic and military leaders spearheading the fight against ISIL. Frankel traveled to these countries to better inform her work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee.

“Terrorism and financial hardship grip the Middle East,” Frankel said. “It’s clear that strong American leadership is needed to help defeat terrorist groups and brutal regimes, address the growing humanitarian crisis, and rebuild the economic fabric of countries in turmoil. This is necessary for our security at home as well as allies around the world.”

During her six-day tour, Frankel met with various local governmental and tribal leaders, U.S. troops and aid workers, and Syrian refugees.

Highlights of Frankel’s visit included:

·         Amman, Jordan – Frankel joined Prince Faisal, U.S. Ambassador Alice Wells, and local government and military leaders to discuss our cooperation with Jordan to defeat ISIL and stabilize the region. Frankel also visited a U.S.-run refugee processing center.

·         Baghdad, Iraq – Frankel met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, U.S. Ambassador Stuart Jones, Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Brett McGurk, and local governmental and tribal leaders. Frankel also visited the Iraq Museum to highlight the importance of protecting antiquities from theft and destruction by ISIL.

·         Erbil, Iraq – Frankel met with Kurdish governmental officials and visited a local church that has been converted to a refugee center for 120 families driven from their homes by ISIL’s genocide. Additionally, Frankel observed a training camp for Peshmerga forces, including female soldiers, who are fighting ISIL.

·         Tunis, Tunisia – Frankel discussed challenges to Tunisia’s transition to democracy and ISIL’s threat to Libya with Tunisian President Essebsi and Prime Minister Essid, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Daniel Rubenstein, U.S. Ambassador to Libya Peter Bodde.

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