Congresswoman Lois Frankel, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, returned from a bipartisan congressional mission to the Middle East—Egypt and the United Arab Emirates—along with Japan and Belgium.

On the delegation, Frankel met with world leaders and discussed the ongoing political instability in the Middle East and possible military intervention in Syria as well as other issues important to their region.

In Cairo, Frankel and the delegation met with the Egyptian Interim Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Egyptian Interim President Adly Mansour, Coptic Pope Tawadros II and President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt Anis Aclimandos. With an eye towards political turmoil in Egypt, they spoke with key leaders about the path forward to a democratically elected government. Frankel stressed to Egyptian leaders the importance of creating an economic environment that fosters confidence among the Egyptian people.

In Abu Dhabi, Frankel and her colleagues met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the Minister of State for Energy Affairs.  In Abu Dhabi they visited Masdar City which relies on solar energy and other renewable energy sources. Frankel and the delegation talked about renewable energy and instability in the Middle East.

Frankel and the delegation also traveled to Brussels and Tokyo. In Brussels they visited NATO and met General Philip Breedlove, head of the U.S. European Command, and NATO Special Operations officials. In Brussels, the group got a behind-the-scenes look at NATO medical and operational training. In Tokyo, the group met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to discuss the complex relationship between Japan and China and possible fall-out from the leakage of the nuclear power plant Fukushima. The subject of Syria was also discussed.

“With chaos in Syria, instability in Egypt and US national security interests at play across the Middle East and Asia, this bipartisan congressional mission served as a timely and critical opportunity to get a first-hand assessment,” Frankel said. “Throughout the trip we had a chance to engage world leaders on the topic on all our minds: Syria and instability in the Middle East.”

Frankel departed on the bipartisan mission August 30 and returned September 8.